Cycle-rage attack probed

Their mission might be to "promote cycling in a manner conducive to good fellowship and sportsmanship", but members of the Muhammadeyah Cycling Club - also called MC² - are accused of brutally beating a Cape Town teenager.

The road-rage attack has reignited debate over the rights of motorists and cyclists.

Ibrahim Waggie, 19, was attacked while he was double-parked on a road in Sea Point, waiting for fellow volunteers collecting litter after a charity sports event on Sunday.

A video clip of the attack, posted on Facebook by passerby Symon Scott, shows cyclists throwing blows at Waggie in the driver's seat of a vehicle.

The Western Provincial Cycling Association has set up a disciplinary committee before which the perpetrators will be hauled. And police are investigating the attack, footage of which has flooded social media.

Waggie, a student at Northlink College, is still traumatised. His mother, Zaida Waggie, said his head and legs hurt and there were bicycle tyre marks on his arms.

"This morning he went to class because they are writing exams, but he came home early," Waggie said yesterday.

"He is not a violent child. He goes to school and comes back. They used pepper spray on him - his eyes burnt so much that he had to lie down on his cousin's lap.

"They took the keys from the ignition so he could not roll up the window. His cousin Zubeir Adams had to ward them off."

Yesterday afternoon Waggie had gone to mosque and had to see a doctor later, his mother said.

Graham Ward, chairman of the Western Province Cycling Association, said the club had until 4pm yesterday to provide the names of the alleged perpetrators, failing which the club itself would appear before the disciplinary committee.

"They do tremendous work in the community.

"They have been a model club so far with regard to developing riders from their community and coaching youngsters," said Ward.

"We come across them quite often on the road and they always act in an exemplary manner. It is just a pity this club ride degenerated into an assault."