The Cape Town cycling community is reeling after the tragic and senseless death of veteran cyclist Dennis Hammar (77), who was attacked while riding through the city centre on Sunday, 27 July. The much-loved cyclist, husband, father and grandfather succumbed to his injuries in hospital after an assailant struck him with a bottle under the bridge near the Artscape Theatre — all for his cellphone.
Dennis, known for his passion for cycling and his gentle nature, had completed 41 consecutive Cape Town Cycle Tours. His wife, Sharon Hammar, who described Dennis as her “precious and darling husband”, said he had two great loves: her and his beloved Colnago bicycle.
“Dennis was taken from me, our family, friends, cycling community and everyone who had the honour of knowing him and the special human being he is. He is loved by everyone who met him,” she shared through tears. “The City and country he loved so much has let us all down.”
According to Sharon, Dennis was attacked on a beautiful Sunday morning at around 10am. Despite the trauma, he managed to make his way to a nearby parked vehicle, where a kind stranger named Nigel lent him a phone to call for help. A group of cyclists also stopped to assist, ensuring he was taken to a safer location near the Westin Hotel Convention Centre while waiting for Sharon and a friend to arrive.
This was just the beginning of a painful journey involving multiple hospital visits, scans, extreme pain and a desperate attempt to get police to take his statement. “If I wasn’t persistent in threatening to expose the police for not attending to the matter with urgency, Dennis wouldn’t have managed to sign his own statement,” Sharon said. “It’s a disgrace.”
Her heartbreak is compounded by the fact that this is not the first time Dennis was harmed while cycling in Cape Town. In November 2024, he was the victim of a hit-and-run in Paarden Eiland — an incident Sharon reported to Maitland Police Station, the City of Cape Town and councillor JP Smith. Despite providing camera footage and trying to follow up, she says she received no response.
Now, the community is calling for accountability and real action.
Ward Councillor Ian McMahon (Ward 115) offered condolences on social media and acknowledged that the attack has “again rocked the cycling community.” He stated that Transnet — which owns the stretch of land where the incident occurred — has initiated legal proceedings to evict people occupying areas along the N1, from Old Marine Drive to Paarden Eiland. Over 400 individuals are reportedly involved. The next court hearing is scheduled for next week, with hopes of restoring safety to this critical travel corridor.
But for Sharon and many others, this is too little, too late.
“It is now 1:30am and I cannot sleep. I am sobbing and mourning the loss of my husband, father, brother and grandfather to our beautiful family. Dennis will leave a huge void in all our lives. The saddest thing is that he was so humble, he never even knew how loved and respected he was,” Sharon said.
As tributes pour in from around the country, the message is clear: this loss is not just personal, it is societal. And unless meaningful changes are made, South Africans who choose to cycle, run, or simply move through the city freely will remain at risk.
Sharon has made the case number available and is urging anyone willing to help pursue justice for Dennis to come forward. “Everyone should be involved for the safety of our cycling, running, and all outdoor activities in our ‘was’ beautiful city which we can no longer enjoy.”
Nuusflits contacted the City of Cape Town and the SAPS for comment.
