Residents up in arms over invasion of these bikers

POLOKWANE – Local bikers are giving Westenburg residents endless sleepless nights by using the suburb’s streets as a raceway.

The residents say the bikers rev their motorcycles at night, especially when they are apparently under the influence of alcohol, racing in the streets and doing wheelies at high speed.

“These youngsters do not only put their own lives at risk but also those of pedestrians using the road and other motorists. We are fed up with them. Talking to them is a waste of time, because they are stubborn and rude.

“The police are useless because they are aware of this issue but do nothing to assist the community with this evil,” an angry resident who lives in Ben Harris Street said.

Another resident who lives in John Smith Street said it was not all the bikers that were guilty of this conduct.

“There are three specific bikers, two from the Eagles Bikers Club and one from Sapa Yopa motorcycle club who are guilty. I know it is wrong, but the situation is so bad that there are times that I wish they would fall from their bikes and get hurt just to learn a lesson,” said the resident.

The bikers’ antics do not only take place in Westenburg.

Johan Venter, a resident living on a Leeuwkuil smallholding near Westenburg said he and his wife often heard the bikers racing along the road at high-speed in the early hours of the morning over weekends.

“It’s not safe for them. There are often cattle, goats and dogs wandering in the road and at that speed, a biker will not be able to avoid a collision,” he said.

Sello Makhura, from Eagles Bikers Club, said they are one of the biggest clubs in the country and have measures in place to control the behaviour and conduct of their members.

“Any wrongdoing must be reported to the authorities. If our members transgress the law, they must be reported and once a formal complaint has been lodged the club will take action. We can go as far as taking their colours and removing them from the club,” Makhura said.

He added that residents must keep in mind that a motorbike makes more noise than a car. “If people are used to cars, the sound of a bike will be loud to them. When a bike idles it’s not like a car; it has a sound which people sometimes confuse with revving. Roadracing is against the law and must be reported.”

Sarel Nong, Sapa Yopa president, said the allegations would be investigated and the matter would be addressed.

Capt Mohlaka Mashiane, Westenburg police spokesperson, said residents encouraged the behaviour of the bikers when they formed crowds around them when they revved and raced their bikes.

“We appeal to the community to assist the police with this issue by not entertaining these bikers and their disregard for traffic laws,” Mashiane said.