Update: March 25, 11.30am

THE minibus taxi driver involved in the accident  which killed Olympic cycling star, Burry Stander (25) appeared in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court last Friday. The case was postponed for further investigation.

Njabulo Nyawose from Gamalakhe faces charges of culpable homicide or an alternative charge of reckless and negligent driving. He will be back in court on May 17. Stander was killed in Shelly Beach on January 3 this year.

UPDATE: January 7, 3.30pm:

THE taxi driver involved in the accident in which cycling legend Burry Stander died has been released on warning. Njabulo Nyawose (25) appeared before magistrate Kgbetli Moleele in the Port Shepstone Magistrate’s Court earlier today. Nyawose, who is from Gamalakhe, faces a charge of culpable homicide or an alternative charge of reckless and negligent driving. He will appear in court again on March 22.

Taxi driver Njabulo Nyawose (25) in court this morning.

Prosecutor Collen Molebatsi said the  lengthy postponement was due to the extent of the investigation. “A report will be compiled once the vehicle and the bicycle have been examined by forensics,” he said. Police spokesman Colonel-Lieutenant Zandra Wiid confirmed that police were still busy with the investigation, which includes a reconstruction of the accident.

Nyawose, who was dressed in jeans and a red T-shirt, hid his face from the media under a large brown jacket. Nyawose’s attorney, Xolile Ntshulana said his client was in possession of a driving permit and had no record of any previous accidents.

For photos of Sunday's mass ride in honour of Burry, click on Mass ride for Burry and Burry Stander tribute ride

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UPDATE: Monday, January 7, 8am

Burry Stander’s funeral service will take place at the Norwegian Settlers’ Church this Thursday, January 10 at noon.  As a show of solidarity, those attending the service are asked to wear white, which was Burry’s favourite colour.

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UPDATE: Saturday, January 5, 11am

South Coast cyclists will hold a mass ride in memory of cycling icon Burry Stander tomorrow, Sunday, January 6. The ride starts C-Bali in St Mike's at 2pm and will finish in Uvongo.

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UPDATE: Friday, January 4, 3pm

MOUNTAIN Bike SA head, Brett Coates, said Stander had years of experience and was unlikely to have been riding recklessly. But, he added, cyclists were often treated as little more than road bumps. “Drivers might slow down for us but they won’t stop,” he said. “We try as hard as we can. We put up signs, wear reflective vests and put on lights, but drivers just don’t see cyclists.”

Barry McCallum, a cyclist and journalist, said police needed to enforce moving violations. “Roadblocks don’t cut it. The problem with motorist-versus-athletes incidents is that motorists pay very little respect for other road users. There is an attitude that being behind the wheel of a heavier vehicle gives you right of way always. That said, cyclists and other athletes on the road can be their own worst enemies.”

In January 2011, South Africa’s top woman cyclist, Carla Swart  (23), died in the Free State during her time-trial when she was struck by a truck. She died at the scene.

Durban cyclists will dedicate their moonlight mass ride tomorrow to two-time Olympic mountain bike cyclist, Burry Stander, who was killed by a taxi in Shelly Beach yesterday (Thursday). The Durban memorial ride, dubbed the Third Quarter Moonlight Mass by organisers, Brandon van Eeden and Aroon Patel, starts from Moses Mabhida Stadium tomorrow, Saturday, at 8pm. Mass rides were also planned  in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town, George and Bloemfontein.

* Update supplied by IOL

South Coast Herald reporter Sugan Naidoo, together with journalists from the SABC, interview Burry Stander’s wife, Cherise’s close riding companion, Anthony Kapp at the scene of the accident.

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UPDATE: Friday, January 4, 9.30am

It has been confirmed that the driver of the taxi was in fact not arrested and charged.
He was, however, taken to the police station and a warning docket was taken.A case of culpable homicide will be investigated and the man is not in police custody. The docket will be referred to the senior public prosecutor for a decision.

This is the taxi involved in the accident.

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WORLD famous cyclist Burry Stander (25) of Umtentweni was killed in an accident while cycling in Shelly Beach this afternoon. Details are still to be confirmed via an official police report but it appears Stander was on his way back to Umtentweni after a training ride when the tragedy occurred.

At Stott Street, near Doo Twah chalets, he collided with a taxi, which was heading south and had turned right off the main South Coast road. Stander crashed into the passenger side of the taxi and died at the scene, his bike in pieces.

A sad testament to a man who died doing what he loved.

Tributes and messages of condolence have been posted on Facebook as friends and fans pour out their grief at the untimely death of this hugely popular man. Stander was one of South Africa's most exciting cycling prospects and immensely respected around the world. He recently raced to fifth place in the cross-country mountain biking discipline at last year's London Olympics. He held the lead for a section of the race.

It is believed the driver of the taxi has been arrested.