Heart transplant cyclist attacked at gunpoint
Billy Macleod urges anyone with information about his e-bicycle to come forward after he was robbed and tied up in The Reeds last Tuesday afternoon.
A well-known cyclist was robbed at gunpoint and tied up in The Reeds last Tuesday afternoon.
Billy Macleod made headlines earlier this year as he became the first heart transplant recipient to complete the KAP Sani2C mountain bike stage race in less than two years after receiving a new heart.
In the incident, two armed men made off with an e-bike and cellphone, after threatening him with a gun and tying him up.
The incident happened at about 17:15 in the veld, just metres from Kolgans Street in The Reeds.
Macleod told Rekord the robbery was a harrowing experience.
He is preparing for the upcoming South African National Transplant Games set to take place from September 26-29 in Cape Town.
ALSO READ: Centurion heart transplant recipient takes on a historic first for South Africa
“When you have a gun stuck to your head, you just have to give up,” he told Rekord.
“I went to Red Barn where I was doing some business and decided to cut across the veld that joins onto Kolgans Street.”
About 50m from the tar road where some trenches have been dug to stop cars from using the shortcut, Macleod was stopped by the two armed assailants.
“One guy put the gun to my head, while the other took his shoelace and tied me up.
They dragged me into the bush where they left me.”
Macleod lay there as the robbers made away with his bicycle and cellphone before three passersby untied him.
“The scary thing is that it is not even 2km from my house, it is right in the suburb.”
He said the threat of cyclists being targeted for their bicycles is noticeably concentrated between September heading up to Christmas.
Days before Macleod’s attacks, three runners were allegedly also attacked, while another cyclist was robbed in a similar incident to Macleod.
He is requesting the community to assist in locating his Cannondale e-bike.
“Cannondale has been an amazing support in helping me get back on the bike by allowing me to use their incredible e-bike.
“If someone is trying to sell you the bike, please don’t support this crime, it costs people their lives.”
Macleod can be contacted at 081 885 2914 or macleodbilly7@gmail.com.
Tshwane SAPS spokesperson Johan van Dyk said the incidents were reported to police.
“SAPS has already put measures in place such as extra visible patrols and sector manager members have been tasked to address the problem,” he said.
AfriForum Centurion branch neighbourhood watch team leader, Erika de Kock, said members had increased patrols as there had been an increase in crime reported in the area.
“[The path that cuts through the veld] is a walkway through that is leading to the rise in crime in the area,” she said.
Branch chairperson, Andre de Bruyn, said community members could assist in combatting the crime in the area.
“Members who are interested in that area should please join the neighbourhood watch. We will issue them with basic equipment and training, so we can get stronger and take control of our area,” he said.
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