Reward offered for Comrades champ’s attackers

A hefty reward was being offered for information which would lead to the arrest of the men who allegedly attacked and robbed Comrades marathon champion, Nick Bester, at the weekend.

Specialist serious violent and economic crime investigator Mike Bolhuis said there was a R50 000 reward for information leading to the successful prosecution of the three assailants.

“All information received will be treated in the strictest confidence.”

The 60-year-old Comrades conqueror was allegedly ambushed by three men and hit with a rock from behind while hiking along the Magalies mountain near Amandasig.

Akasia police spokesperson Constable Lindiwe Mdluli confirmed an armed robbery docket was opened for investigation.

“He was robbed of his bank cards, an undisclosed amount of cash and his licensed firearm,” she said.

Meanwhile, anti-crime and social activist Yusuf Abramjee said the attack on the sportsman was both violent and brutal.

“It again shows that these criminals have no respect for ones’ life nor property,” he said, adding that Bester’s assault amounted to torture.

“It’s something that is heart-breaking.”

Abramjee said “this type of crime” where people were cycling, jogging, exercising or walking had become “very common”.

“We’ve seen a number of people robbed of their cellphones or their belongings grabbed and the thieves drive off,” he said.

On Tuesday, Bester’s son Shaun said his father was “very confused and even hallucinating” in a high-care unit at a local private hospital.

He said the 1991 Comrades winner had suffered a broken bone above his eye, three broken ribs, a broken cheekbone and a gash on and multiple other cuts to his head.

“They’re also trying to flush out protein in his body because of all the muscle damage,” Shaun said.

In an earlier conversation with Rekord, Shaun said the robbers had hit his father and took his cellphone and his bank cards.

“They forced him to give them bank cards, tied him up and left him there,” he said.

He said his father was also stripped of his clothes and left in only his underwear.

The attack has since been condemned by those in the sports fraternity.

Events to Aid NGO spokesperson Clive Grinaker said: “We are absolutely shocked by the news of this assault and the sheer unnecessary brutality of the attack.”

He said they were fully behind Bester and wished him a speedy recovery.

BrightRock deputy CEO Suzanne Stevens echoed a similar sentiment, saying that while they did not yet have the full story, they were sending their thoughts and prayers to him and his family, while also wishing him a speedy recovery.