PICTURE | Dlamini out of surgery, humbled by support

Cape Town - Star South African cyclist Nicholas Dlamini is out of surgery following his harrowing ordeal at the hands of South African National Parks (SANParks) rangers on Friday.

In a video widely shared on social media, four rangers can be seen aggressively shoving Dlamini into the back of a van after he apparently entered through Table Mountain National Park's Silvermine Gate 1 without making the required permit payment.

During the scuffle, the sound of what appears to be Dlamini's left arm breaking can be heard after a ranger attempts to place Dlamini's arms behind his back.

The incident and subsequent rest and recuperation post-surgery is a major setback for Dlamini, who had been out on a training ride ahead of what promised to be a career highlight 2020 season.

The injury will have a serious effect on the 24-year-old's chances of representing South Africa at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games which get under way in late July 2020.

After visiting Dlamini in hospital, Environment, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Barbara Creecy instructed SANParks to suspend the officers involved.

SANParks is also in the process of appointing an independent service provider to conduct a preliminary investigation following the incident.

German Sven Thiele, CEO and founder of cycling event supporter company HotChillee, as well as a mentor to Dlamini since the pair first met when Dlamini was just 17-years-old, took to Twitter on Saturday to confirm Dlamini was out of surgery and was humbled by the support and love shown to him in the past 24 hours.

Another of Dlamini's mentors, South African actress Vanessa Haywood, had previously posted a picture of the X-ray confirming the nasty arm break.

Dlamini's team, NTT Pro Cycling, earlier in the day thanked the public for their support and promised an update on his progress "later".

- Compiled by Garrin Lambley

Some news on @nich_dlamini -he is out of surgery but super, super tired ?????? but also totally humbled by all the massive support and love out there. ???????? pic.twitter.com/FGcOLYpjTY

— Sven Thiele (@sventhiele) December 28, 2019

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

— Vanessa Sandes (@VanHaywood) December 27, 2019

We can confirm that @nich_dlamini underwent an operation this morning on his broken arm at a Cape Town hospital.

He is currently in recovery & we will provide a full update later.

We want to thank everyone for their messages of support.

— NTT Pro Cycling (@NTTProCycling) December 28, 2019