Nic Dlamini arrest, broken arm goes political in South Africa | Sticky Bottle

*South Africa’s Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy and Dimension Data rider Nic Dlamini whose arm was broken in an incident with park rangers earlier toda*y

South Africa’s Environment, Forestry and Fisheries
Minister Barbara Creecy has revealed she “instructed” SANParks to suspend the park
rangers who were present when pro cyclist Nic Dlamini was arrested earlier
today.

The South African pro with WorldTour squad NTT Pro Cycling - formerly Dimension Data - was arrested by SANParks personnel while training in Table Mountain National Park.

A video of the incident (below), which was recorded by a rider who came upon the scene, shows Dlamini being arrested with force and clearly feeling severe pain; later diagnosed as a badly broken arm.

Speaking to the News24 outlet in South Africa, Minister Creecy said she visited Dlamini in hospital and heard his account of what had happened.

"I had the opportunity to visit Nic at the hospital
where he is undergoing treatment,” she said.

“I have instructed SANParks, the chairperson and senior
management of SANParks to suspend the officers who were involved in this
incident.

"I have also instructed them to undertake an
independent investigation so that we can have the full facts.”

While referring to the fact that all the details of the incident had yet to be gathered, she said it appeared there had been “highly inappropriate” behaviour when the arrest took place.

SANParks had earlier issued a statement suggesting the rider had not paid the entry fee into the park and did not have a permit.

It added in a statement that Nic Dlamini had caused the
broken arm injury to himself and it reminded people using national parks to pay
the fee and have a permit.

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This is what @SANParks officials have done to a potential Olympic athlete’s arm. @nich_dlamini WAS possibly going to be THE 1ST BLACK SOUTH AFRICAN to take part in the Tour de France you stupid assholes!!!!!!!! @CyrilRamaphosa @MbalulaFikile pic.twitter.com/lLS1EStpYK

— Instagram: @vanhaywood (@VanHaywood) December 27, 2019

The incident is fast turning into a political story in South Africa as Dlamini had a chance of becoming the first black South African cyclist to ride the Tour de France.

Western Cape Premier Alan Winde, who also visited Dlamini
in hospital, believed the incident was marked by "heavy-handedness"
on the part of the rangers.

"Their aggression was evident not only in their
attitude toward Nic Dlamini, but also towards other cyclists on the scene who
recorded incident,” he said.

"No matter what the circumstances, there is no excuse for this kind of reaction," Winde added.

"This incident undermines Brand South Africa, at a time where our economy can ill-afford further damage to our brand and our tourism economy."

This story initially said Nic Dlamini had a chance of becoming the first black African rider to compete in the Tour de France. It should have said black South African rider and has been amended accordingly.