The Pedal Power Association has highlighted systemic failures in police investigations and court postponements as families of victims push for accountability on South African roads. The Association has issued an urgent national call to action that includes police accountability, faster prosecution of reckless drivers, and enhanced road protection for vulnerable road users.

Systemic failures in police investigations and court postponements

The call comes in the wake of an alarming escalation in hit-and-run fatalities, violent roadside attacks, and severe judicial delays surrounding incidents. These incidents occurred across Gauteng, Western Cape and KZN. South Africa’s largest cycling advocacy organisation says enforcement is a specific pillar within the traditional Three E’s road safety framework (Engineering, Education and Enforcement). It covers the active monitoring of traffic laws, detection of violations, and subsequent legal prosecution or penal procedures.

It’s been an uphill battle

Over the past 14 months, multiple incidents have laid bare systemic breakdowns in law enforcement responsiveness. “We have noticed that victims and grieving families are increasingly forced to appoint private legal counsel simply to compel basic police work, such as issuing subpoenas and transferring dockets to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA),” says CEO of the PPA, Neil Robinson.

Violent criminal attacks on cyclists in identified hot spot areas

“Far too many incidents are happening around the country. Unfortunately, our police, NPA and punishment of infringements don’t really serve the purpose. This is due to a lack of resources. It’s been an uphill battle, but we will take the upward ticks in the way the justice system functions”, Robinson explained in a SAFM radio interview. Incidents related to cycling include the violent criminal attacks on cyclists in identified hot spot areas. These areas refer to Woodstock Lower Bridge in Cape Town, as well as the R304 close to Kayamandi, Cloetesville and Helshoogte in the Stellenbosch region.

DOCKETS OF CONCERN:

The PPA brings public scrutiny to eight recent cases demonstrating the crisis of road violence and systemic delays:

1. Kerry Grundlingh Case (July 2025 – M5, Cradle of Humankind, Mogale City, Gauteng)

Kerry Grundlingh was out training with her father along the designated cycling lane on the M5 when she was allegedly struck from behind by a motor vehicle. Due to severe initial investigative delays, her family appointed an attorney to compel action. Following a subpoena issued to SAPS Muldersdrift, the docket was finally sent to the NPA in Roodepoort, after a full year’s delay for a decision on formal criminal charges against the driver.

Status: Docket currently with NPA Roodepoort for prosecutorial decision (1 Year Delay).

2. Dennis Hammar Case (July 2025 – FW De Klerk Boulevard, Cape Town, Western Cape)

Dennis Hammar died from postoperative complications after he was brutally attacked while riding along FW De Klerk Boulevard in July 2025. He was a veteran PPA cyclist who completed 41 Cape Town Cycle Tours. Over a year after this violent assault, law enforcement has made no arrests.

Status: Unsolved / Active Case — No arrests made to date.

Eviction ruling against people occupying Transnet land near the N1 and Woodstock

The High Court made an eviction ruling against people occupying Transnet land near the N1 and Woodstock. The legal battle over the eviction of 161 people from Transnet-owned land in Woodstock and Salt River is set to continue. Social housing advocates, Ndifuna Ukwazi, are seeking leave to appeal a Western Cape High Court judgment ordering the occupiers to vacate by September 30.

“Since 2024, 27 cases of violent attacks and attempted attacks on cyclists in the Woodstock and surrounding areas have been reported to the PPA. One of these, that of Dennis Hammar, was fatal.”

“People are very frustrated; they’re trying to get to work, and back, they’re trying to do this route in a calm, safe manner and at the moment it’s very difficult to do because of what’s happening there.” -Neil Robinson, PPA CEO, speaking on the Woodstock Bridge informal settlement crimes.

3. Francois Esterhuizen Case (December 2025 – R43, Worcester, Western Cape)

On Saturday, 13 December 2025, Francois Esterhuizen, owner of Manic Cycles and a beloved figure in the cycling community, was killed in a hit-and-run crash on the R43 in Worcester. The driver fled the scene immediately, and no suspect has been arrested to date.

Status: Unsolved Hit-and-Run – SAPS investigation ongoing; no arrests.

4. Idries Sheriff Case (December 2025 – Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Western Cape)

Idries Sheriff was tragically killed on December 16, 2025, after being struck by a motor vehicle while cycling on Victoria Road in Camps Bay. The 27-year-old driver, Bongani Mthethwa, appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court shortly after and was released on R15,000 bail. Since his initial appearance, the case has been repeatedly postponed. His next court appearance is set for September 2026.

Status: On Bail / Ongoing Postponements. Accused due in court September 2026.

5. David Sejobe (January 2026- Orange Farm, Johannesburg )

David Sejobe was a beloved South African security officer at MultiChoice in Randburg and an avid cyclist. He was known for his daily 170 km round-trip commute by bicycle from Orange Farm and his warm, cheerful greetings. Sejobe tragically died in a hit-and-run crash in late January 2026. No one has been arrested for the incident, as yet.

Status: Hit-and-run, and no arrest has been made.

6. Atish Jivan and Jayesh Madhav (February 2026- Walkerville, Gauteng)

Two members of the Lenasia cycling community, Atish Jivan and Jayesh Madhav, were tragically killed in a crash on the R82 (Old Johannesburg Road) near Walkerville. The two cyclists were riding uphill towards Walkerville when a white VW Polo allegedly struck them from behind.

Status: Gauteng police are currently still investigating the case.

7. Landon La Grange Case (April 2026 –Victoria Road, Atlantic Seaboard, Cape Town, Western Cape)

Landon La Grange was riding along Victoria Road in Cape Town, when a catastrophic crash occurred. Landon was airlifted to hospital, underwent an emergency leg amputation, and subsequently died from his injuries. Minibus taxi driver Siyabonga Myabalala appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court facing a culpable homicide charge. The trial has been postponed to October 2026. La Grange was cycling with a group of approximately 20 cyclists at the time of the accident.

Status: Culpable Homicide Prosecution. Trial set to commence October 2026.

8. Wessel Van Dyk (August 2026 – Durban Training Circuit opposite Moses Mahbida Stadium, KZN)

Wessel Van Dyk was a well-known cyclist within the Durban cycling community. He was cycling along Durban’s beachfront area when he was hit by a vehicle. This vehicle was allegedly travelling on the wrong side of the road. Wessel passed away from injuries sustained in the crash. The driver was detained and appeared in the Durban Magistrate’s Court on 3 August for bail investigation. He was released on 11 August on R5 000 bail. The case has been postponed to 29 September for further investigations.

Status: Due to the gathering of evidence, no charges have been laid against the driver yet.