nic dlamini sa cyclist arm broken by official

Home » WATCH Top SA Cyclist Nic Dlamini’s Arm Broken by SANParks Official on Table Mountain

WATCH Top SA Cyclist Nic Dlamini’s Arm Broken by SANParks Official on Table Mountain

It has been confirmed that well known South African cyclist (and Laureus Sports award nominee) Nicholas Dlamini has sustained a broken arm after being stopped by SANParks officials in the Silvermine section of Table Mountain National Park on Friday morning. South Africans and potential tourists around the world were horrified on Friday when a video […]

By Jenni Baxter
28-12-19 07:55
in Eish!
nic dlamini sa cyclist arm broken by official

It has been confirmed that well known South African cyclist (and Laureus Sports award nominee) Nicholas Dlamini has sustained a broken arm after being stopped by SANParks officials in the Silvermine section of Table Mountain National Park on Friday morning.

South Africans and potential tourists around the world were horrified on Friday when a video of the incident went viral on Whatsapp, appearing to show a park ranger roughly pushing and handling 24-year-old Dlamini. The video was filmed by a fellow cyclist.

NTT Pro Cycling confirmed in a statement Friday evening that Dlamini’s arm has been broken by the official.

NTT said: “Nicholas was taken to False Bay Hospital where x-rays were carried out and was confirmed that he suffered a fracture of his left humerus. He has since been transferred to another local hospital where further specialist consultation, together with our team’s medical department, will decide on the next course of action to treat the injury.”

Minister of Environment, Forestry & Fisheries, Barbara Creecy tweeted on Friday evening that she had visited Dlamini in hospital and “heard first hand his horrible experience”.

She says she has instructed SANParks to “suspend all official involved and implement an independent investigation”.

WATCH Park Ranger’s “Heavy Handedness” with Top SA Cyclist Nic Dlamini

In a statement, Table Mountain National Park (TMNP) said Dlamini had entered Gate 1 of the Silvermine section without paying the conservation fee or having proof of activity permits.

TMNP said when officials approached Dlamini “the situation spiralled causing the subject to injure himself during the ordeal”. A spokesperson said that rangers claimed Dlamini “became quite aggressive” in resisting arrest.

NTT said: “Despite being visibly distressed after being pulled off his bicycle at high speed, which saw him crash, there can be no justification for the level of violence meted out to him.”

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who has also visited Dlamini in hospital, agreed that “no matter what the circumstances, there is no excuse” for the “heavy-handedness” of the officials, in both their dealing with Dlamini and with the witnesses recording the scuffle.

Winde said: “This incident undermines Brand South Africa, at a time where our economy can ill-afford further damage to our brand and our tourism economy.”

NTT Pro Cycling also said, with the video going viral around the world, “as one of South Africa’s premier tourist attractions what type of message does this send to both local and foreign visitors who want to visit it?”

Already on social media, foreigners have expressed concern. One wrote on Twitter: “Thinking of going to SA for the British lions but everyone is saying it’s too dangerous, very scary if the police can beat up someone who is out on a cycle, sounds insane.”

NTT said: “Following the enormous response to this incident, it’s clear that SANParks need to engage with the greater cycling community in Cape Town to forge a positive relationship for the future. We look forward to seeing them take the lead in this respect.”

Dlamini had just completed a successful 2019 campaign and has an extensive race programme for 2020 already in place.

“This unnecessary injury will now have a serious effect on that, as well as his chances of racing at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games,” said NTT.

NTT is demanding a full public apology to both Dlamini and the eyewitness who was intimidated by officials.

NTT’s Team Principal, Douglas Ryder, said: “I was both devastated and appalled to see the video of Nicholas on social media. To watch a young man who I know so well in such unnecessary distress made me feel sick, to be honest. The way in which he was treated is simply not acceptable.”

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