Johannesburg – Gauteng police are investigating a fatal collision on the R82 in De Deur, south of Johannesburg, that claimed the lives of two cyclists and left several others injured on the morning of Sunday, 1 February 2026.
The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the local cycling community, particularly with a major national cycling event just days away.
According to Gauteng provincial police spokesperson Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi, a white Volkswagen Polo carrying five occupants struck the cyclists as they were riding along the roadside.
Two Lenasia cyclists, Jayesh Madhav (49) and Atish Raman Jeevan (52), were tragically killed after being hit by an alleged drunken motorist on the R82 Walkerville this morning. Tributes continue to pour in.
Renewed calls are being made for strict enforcement of road laws,… pic.twitter.com/A20ViBffsF
— The Instigator (@Am_Blujay) February 2, 2026
“The two cyclists were declared dead on the scene while the occupants of the vehicle were taken to hospital with serious injuries,” Nevhuhulwi said, adding that no arrests had yet been made and that police investigations were ongoing, reported SABC News.
The victims have since been identified as 49-year-old Jayesh Madhav and 52-year-old Atish Raman Jeevan, both well-known members of the Lenasia cycling community. Tributes from friends and fellow cyclists poured in as news of their deaths spread.
WATCH | Two cyclists were killed and five passengers injured and taken to hospital when a speeding VW Polo crashed into a group of cyclists on the R82 in Eikenhof, in the Vaal near Johannesburg. pic.twitter.com/yT7uabJXow
— SABC News (@SABCNews) February 1, 2026
According to The Citizen, a message circulated on a local cycling WhatsApp group captured the depth of grief within the community. “It is with a heavy heart that I need to inform you guys that two cyclists were tragically killed in an accident going up Walkerville this morning,” the message read.
The collision occurred near Walkerville on the Old Johannesburg Road (R82) as the cyclists were travelling uphill — a stretch of road that has increasingly raised safety concerns among riders due to traffic volumes.
Its always polo drivers
Two cyclists were killed and 5 passengers in hospital a speeding polo vivo crashed into two cyclists in the Vaal😭💔💔💔 pic.twitter.com/SMPFK8asfL
— shums (@miShumoZA_) February 2, 2026
Members of cycling clubs expressed particular sadness given that the South African National Road & Time Trial Championships are scheduled to take place in nearby Midvaal from 5 to 8 February, just days after the fatal crash.
A fatal crash has claimed the lives of two Lenasia cyclists’ in Walkerville (R82), JHB. pic.twitter.com/ocAoptI0Hf
— Yusuf Abramjee (@Abramjee) February 1, 2026
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Compiled by Lisabeal Nqamqhele
