Cyclist Dennis Hammar dies after violent robbery in Cape Town

The cycling community is in shock following the death of 76-year-old cyclist, Dennis Hammar, who succumbed to his injuries in hospital after he was attacked and robbed along N1 near FW de Klerk Boulevard.

Hammar was well known among riders, having had 40 tours under his belt. 

Police are now appealing for information leading to the arrest of the suspects.

"According to reports, he was cycling from Paarden Eiland on the N1 joining FW de Klerk Boulevard, Foreshore, when an unidentified male pushed him off his bike and grabbed his cellular telephone from his backpack and jumped over the fence on the other side of the road," said police spokesperson, FC van Wyk.

 “The victim was taken to a nearby hospital for medical treatment. 

“On July 29, at about 11:20pm, Cape Town Central SAPS members were informed that the cyclist died in hospital. An inquest case was subsequently opened for investigation.an autopsy will be conducted to determine the cause of death.

 “Anyone with information about this incident is kindly requested to contact Crime Stop at 08600 10111 or via the MySAPS App. Information will be treated as highly confidential.”

Stay Wider of the Rider shared a statement on social media, in which they described Hammar’s sportsmanship and their shock.

“Our sincerest condolences to his family and friends and @Club 100 fellow riders.

“It is with much sadness that we wish to inform you and the greater cycling community of the passing of one of our elder members, Dennis Hammar.

“Dennis was attacked this past Monday morning under the bridge near the Convention Centre where a guy jumped him with a bottle and robbed him of his cell phone.

“Dennis sustained fractures and multiple injuries and had to undergo an operation and succumbed to his injuries due to post-op complications.

“Dennis was very fit and strong and completed 40 cycle tours successfully. Dennis was a husband, father and grandfather and we are devastated by this incident which stems from ongoing.”

Neil Robinson, Pedal Power Association CEO, appealed for riders to be cycle in numbers due to crime zones.

"We are very saddened to hear of another death, it has been ongoing problem and there has been interventions from the saps and we are appealing to cyclists to avoid these areas."

Cape Town ward councillor, Ian McMahon, also expressed his concerns of the ongoing attacks on cyclists.

“Transnet, the landowner for the stretch along the N1 near the CBD entrance, have shared a status around their legal plans around the eviction case for this stretch of land.

“It encompasses from Old Marine Drive near Culemborg to just past the WOMAG interchange to Paarden Eiland, covering 10 different sites and includes over 400 individuals

“The next hearing is next week, which will hopefully set the main hearing date as Department of Home Affairs are joining the matter. We are hopeful that Transnet is near the end stages in resolving this area and safety can be restored to this key travel corridor."

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