So, I’ve finally become part of statistics (unofficially, more about that further down). Me and one of my teammates were riding out in the South of Johannesburg, trying to get in some base mileage before the next Vets tour in two weeks time. When on the Eikenhof road two guys crossed the road in front of us, pointing a gun at us, and telling us to stop. The one holding the gun asked for 50 bucks (looks like he knows the exact amount us cyclists normally carry on long rides). I tried to get the money out of my pocket, but with the winter gloves on it is an impossible task.
The second guy came around behind me, took my hand out of my pocket, and helped himself to the money my mobile phone, and a packet of jelly babies. And then started pushing the bike telling me to go. I went slowly at first, listening for sounds behind me, because they hadn’t let my teammate go yet. So I was kind of waiting for a shot, or shouting, or something, not wanting to look around in case they do start shooting then. About 200 metres down the road I snuck a quick look, and very relieved saw my teammate not far behind me, also riding.
We carried on down the road and stopped at the police station about 10 km further. When we told them we’d just been robbed at gunpoint, they looked up for a few seconds, and turned around and carried on talking amongst themselves. Nice service SAPS. Don’t tell me to at least report a crime, and then not even be willing to take down my statement or let me use your phone!
Maybe the police should have a website where we can report these crimes, without having to go to a police station, since they’re not going to do much anyway. At least then we’ll have more accurate crime statistics in this country, and not the bullshit (this is my site, I can say what I want) they’re feeding us at the moment.