Motorist irked by run-in with bike procession
A Montclair motorist claims he and his family were verbally abused when the intersection of Leicester and Grimsby roads was allegedly closed off illegally on Sunday, 26 January.
Desi Moodley and his family were on their way to a funeral when two bikers allegedly closed off the road, allowing for hundreds of bikers to pass through the intersection.
When he asked why the roads were closed off, he claims he was cursed at by a man waving his arms ‘wildly’ in the air. “After waiting a long time with the robots changing from red to green several times while hundreds of motor bikes thundered past, I went through the robots when it was green and safe for me to go. As I passed by the young man, he punched my vehicle and swore at my family and I,” said Moodley.
“I find this totally irresponsible and unacceptable from the motorcycle club as the persons closing of the roads were unlawful in their actions and could have caused serious injury or death to anybody including themselves, caused traffic to be backed up on all four sides of the intersections without valid reason and without warning, were extremely selfish and unconcerned that other road users had the right to use the road ways as well without being inconvenienced.”
The bikers were on their way to Wanderers Sports Club from Pinetown, on an annual biker blessing run, where a prayer service would be help and the bikers and their families would be prayed for, for their safety on the roads.
A senior road captain of the KZN Motorcycle Federation, who wished to remain unnamed, who was in charge of the road captains involved said he was aware of the incident. He said he was informed the motorist had tried to pass through the intersection while the bikers passed through in procession.
Pastor Christiaan Brandeburg, regional president of Christian Motorcycle Association, said he was unaware of the incident and there were no physical altercations reported. He said the road captains are well trained and during the run are of sober mind, as the event is a memorial run.
“I am not aware of the incident, everything I would say is based on an assumption. The road was legally closed and the traffic was well directed. We have never had an incident before unless road users become impatient. My bikers won’t do that,” said Brandeburg.
He also made reference to an incident that happened two years ago at a different run where a motorist passed through a road block and killed a biker. He also mentioned the bikers keep to a safe speed throughout the ride and the road blocks are pre-planned.
The incident was reported to Metro Police. Ward 64 councillor Billie Prinsloo said: “I am aware of the incident and it had been reported to Metro Police for further investigation.”
– mbalim@dbn.caxton.co.za
