Bicycle theft in Stellenbosch is an “ongoing pandemic”. This is according to Juan Mason, owner of Mason’s Bike Inn in Ryneveld Street in Stellenbosch.
His comments come after two bicycles to the value of R140 000 were stolen in the residential area of Ryneveld Street in Stellenbosch last month. This is according to Francia Pretorius, a resident in Ryneveld Street, who was present at the scene of the theft at around 18:00 on 16 February.
Janeke Erasmus, a fourth year visual studies student and resident in Ryneveld Street, rides her bicycle to campus. “I am now very careful with my bicycle and keep it behind a locked gate, unless I am using it,” said Erasmus. When on campus, Erasmus takes her bicycle into the department to keep it safe. PHOTO: Jean-Marie Uys
“[The street] was extremely busy. Campus security drove past and people were walking here,” said Pretorius.
The bicycles belonged to Pretorius’s sister and brother-in-law, Nadia and Chris Rabie. It was secured to their car with a lock at the top and a tightened strap at the bottom, which the thieves untied in order to jerk the bicycles out, explained Pretorius. “It was maybe 10 meters away I think from where we were standing outside our apartment. We did not hear a thing, so it doesn’t make sense.”
A bicycle is secured with a U-lock opposite Mason’s Bike Inn and Häzz coffee shop in Ryneveld Street. PHOTO: Jean-Marie Uys
Bicycle thefts have been around the block
Many cases of bicycle theft have been opened at Stellenbosch’s police station, with “every case [getting] the necessary attention”, according to sergeant Jason Rhoda from Stellenbosch South African Police Service (SAPS).
“This office holds regular meetings [with] the Eikestad Mall management as most of these thefts occur in the vicinity of the mall parking area,” said Rhoda. “[We] have had numerous crime awareness campaigns at EVERY [sic] university hostel in town to sensitise students on the crime of theft of bicycles amongst other crimes.”
Mason’s Bike Inn on Facebook posted about their availability of U-locks in stock. “I don’t even sell kabelstokke anymore. I can’t recommend it. All that works are U-locks,” said Mason. PHOTO: Facebook/Masons Bike Inn
“I have been in town for 35 years, and every year [this happens],” said Mason. “Some weeks there are more than others, but we hear about this every day. It is very bad.”
Mason advised bicycle owners to take preventative measures by investing in a U-lock and locking bicycles in busy areas.