The first attack happened on New Year’s Day in Blue Hills when Filip Rafalski was attacked by two people wielding knives. The attackers made off with Rafalski’s bike.
Shortly after this incident, on 11 January, another incident of bicycle hijacking occurred, this time on Northern Farm, near Diepsloot. According to the Northern Farm Recreational User Group committee, two cyclists, a man and a woman went through a tunnel at the start of the biking route. About 250m into the route, four men hijacked the couple of their bicycles. No other valuables were taken from the couple. Fortunately no one was injured and security was immediately notified and gave chase in the direction the suspects were thought to have gone.
The committee mentioned that this was the first incident at the farm in more than six years. According to the committee the police have since been notified but the perpetrators have not yet been arrested.
Since the incident the farm management and the committee have hired a second security company to patrol on site over weekends. They are also implementing four mobile security personnel on bicycles to blend in as roving guards. The committee has also installed panic buttons at the coffee shop area.
The committee implores cyclists riding at Northern Farm to report any suspicious activity or any emergencies, to the farm management or emergency services.
Details: Bongani 083 879 4449, ER24 084 124, Life Hospital Fourways 086 0444 044
