Five years on: former Tongaat widow reflects on loss after recent cycling deaths

THE recent deaths of two Lenasia cyclists have brought back painful memories for Musgrave resident Seema Parekh, whose husband and friend was killed in similar circumstances five years ago.

She shared her story of loss, justice, and moving forward.

On Sunday two respected, former members of the Cycle Club Lenasia, Atish Jivan (52) and Jayesh Madhav (49), lost their lives when a speeding VW Polo allegedly struck them while cycling on the R82 near Walkerville

In 2021, Sunil Parekh and his friend Anil Singh, both 59 and members of the Tongaat Panthers Athletic Club, were killed when they were hit by a car while jogging. 

Parekh ran a car licensing business, while Singh worked as an account administrator for a car hire company. Both men lived in Tongaat.

Sunil’s widow, Seema (60) said Sunday’s incident brought back the trauma her family experienced.

“We only got justice for my husband four years after he was killed. The driver got 10 years imprisonment last year. It took a little while to get justice, but we were relieved when it finally happened,” she said.

“I was speaking to my daughter on the morning the two cyclists were killed, and it took us back to the day we got the news that my husband had passed away tragically. I understand how these two families are feeling. To lose your loved ones in such a tragic way is hard,” she said. 

Parekh said the pain of loss never truly faded.

“My husband was the breadwinner and I was scared about how I would carry on. I took over his business and we are doing okay now, but five years on, it still feels so fresh. We think about him all the time and about all the milestones he is missing,” she said.

Meanwhile, Gauteng police spokesperson Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi said a case of culpable homicide case was being investigated after a speeding white VW Polo vehicle with five occupants allegedly hit  the two cyclists, causing the vehicle to overturn.

“The cyclists were declared dead on the scene while the occupants of the vehicle were taken to hospital with serious injuries. No arrests have been made and police investigations are underway,” said Nevhuhulwi.

Ismail Vadi, former member of the Executive Council for Transport said the community was “shattered and heartbroken” by the deaths of the two regular cyclists.

"The deaths of two regular cyclists from our community is a monumental loss to the growing cycling fraternity in Lenasia. As a community we are shattered and heart broken. In this case, the R82 is a dual carriageway that is designed to accommodate cyclists on the shoulder of the road. So, it is all more disheartening that two people lost their lives in this crash.

"Coming so shortly after the tragic taxi crash in which twelve scholars were killed, the time has come for road traffic authorities in Gauteng to toughen up and adopt a zero-tolerance approach to road traffic infringements, including drunken driving," he said. 

The African Transformation Movement (ATM) extended their heartfelt condolences to the Madhav and Jivan families.

“Atish Jivan and Jayesh Madhav were known for their passion for cycling and their positive contribution to community life. Their loss is felt deeply not only by their loved ones, but by all who knew and shared in their journey,” the party said in a statement.

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