CAPE TOWN – The City of Cape Town have confirmed they are investing in a security wall along the N2 highway to clampdown on the number of smash-and grabs plaguing the roadway.
The wall is estimated to cost around R180 million, but the City says they are committed to ensuring the wall is installed.
The N2 is a national road and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (Sanral) and the Provincial government, are responsible for the upkeep of the road, like footbridges, fencing and median maintenance.
The City is currently preparing its capital budget for the next Medium-term Revenue and Expenditure Framework.
More details will be available by the time of the budget tabling in March, the City added.
Recently, a 64-year old grandmother and teacher from Nelspruit, Karin van Aardt (64), was fatally stabbed while she was travelling towards the airport to see her family when she was suddenly attacked and robbed on the N2 near Langa on Friday 5 December.
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The Freedom Front Plus welcomes the City of Cape Town’s plan to erect a security wall along the N2 as a means to ensure motorists’ safety but feels the City should have addressed the issue sooner and with more urgency.
“It is, however, regrettable that so much time, and lives, were lost before decisive action was taken. It has been a problem for years, and the Freedom Front Plus repeatedly called for action this year.
The wall is not a sustainable long-term solution, though, and criminals will soon find ways to circumvent it. It does, however, demonstrate that the City is finally heeding calls to act,” said VF Plus councillor Emre Uygan.
“The only effective way to properly secure the N2 is through constant and visible policing, together with other tools such as cameras. A security wall will certainly help, but without a strong law-enforcement presence, motorists remain vulnerable. The Freedom Front Plus insists that the City, together with Sanral and the national government, immediately prioritise practical steps,” he added.
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In October the City celebrated the launch of 40 new metro police officers dedicated to the N2 highway, Airport and Borcherd’s Quarry precincts.
The new officers are instructed to enhance existing safety efforts along the N2, and form part of the 700 new City police officers who have begun their deployment across the city, including dedicated neighbourhood policing in every ward.
Incidents are primarily opportunistic in nature, where criminals target motorists who have stopped along the side of the road – either to drop or pick up passengers; to take a call, or because of a mechanical issue.
In the last year, a full 85% of the 2 215 incidents responded to by metro police officers on the N2 and R300 related to vehicle mechanical issues, motorists running out of fuel, or as a result of flat tyres, the City said.
During this period, officers recorded eight instances where they rendered assistance to motorists who were robbed.
These City operational statistics are aside from those incidents responded to by the police.
Safety advice for motorists
Avoid travelling late at night if you can help it.
Criminals use the cover of darkness and quieter roads to their advantage.
Make sure that your vehicle is mechanically sound at all times.
Make sure that you have the necessary tools and a spare tyre, should you experience a puncture.
Factor in a few extra minutes to check tyres and fuel at a garage before making it onto a highway/major route.
Make sure your cellphone is charged, or that you have a car charger available, and that you have airtime to call for help.
Make sure someone close to you is aware of the exact route you are taking, and your time of departure.
Share your live location with someone close to you. Save the Public Emergency Communication Centre (PECC) number on your phone – 021 480 7700, in case of an emergency.
Report anything out of place along your route – even other vehicles that appear stranded or abandoned. Do not stop along a highway to drop passengers or pick up anyone, or make a call etc.
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