Garth Pasha was sentenced in the Simon’s Town Magistrate Court after he rammed into Dewald van der Westhuizen in 2023.
Image: Supplied
The Pedal Power Association is outraged by the effective R13 000 fine imposed on the SA Navy official responsible for a hit-and-run crash which left a cyclist injured saying the punishment does not fit the crime.
Garth Pasha, 28, was arrested in 21 December 2023 after he rammed into Dewald van der Westhuizen, who was out cycling with his coach Mike Moriarty in preparation for a triathlon when the incident occurred.
A CCTV camera captured the incident, which showed the two men cycling on Main Road Glencairn moments before the white VW Polo hit them and later drove off. Van der Westhuizen was seriously injured and had to be hospitalised and undergo several operations on his leg.
Pasha, who was released on R5000 bail, had pleaded guilty to charges of reckless driving and failure to stop at the scene of the crash. Van der Westhuizen had testified about his long, painful road to recovery.
Cyclists Trevor Joseph and Renford Brand, both who had been victims of a hit-and-run, with Dewald van der Westhuizen, right, outside the Simon's Town Magistrate's Court.
Image: Supplied
Robinson said law-abiding cyclists who are following the rules of the roads should not be as vulnerable as they currently are on South Africa's roads. "They are literally taking their life in their hands when they leave for work or school or are out on a training ride or fun ride. This should not be how we must live our lives."
"We have a 1-meter pass law in the Western Cape. On this alone (and we believe there was strong evidence overall to suggest culpability), we believe the sentence was derisory,” said Robinson.
The PPA urged SAPS, traffic authorities and all prosecuting bodies to take a more serious look at what is happening on our roads as far as vulnerable road users are concerned. "The current situation is intolerable,” Robinson added.
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