The N2 Cape Town under siege
Archie Bell sent an email to GoSouthOnline back in 2014. Almost exactly a year ago (August 1st) informing them of the meeting that took place regarding the attacks on the N2 and what is to be done about it.
“On Wednesday myself and Wesley Ford (CCM SAA) met with Minister Daniel Plato, the MEC for Safety and Security in the Western Cape and twelve members of his security cluster. Representatives from all the various Provincial and City of Cape Town departments were in attendance. The SAPS did not send a representative to the meeting. The following SAPS departments were sent invitations to the meeting by Minister Plato, it was very disappointing that the SAPS chose not to send a representative to the meeting.”
So what came out of the meeting. Well the following preventative measures were discussed:
Short term:
Patrols by the traffic department, the metro police and the SAPS will be increased to a 24 hour saturation level on both the Eastern and Western sections of N2. Particular attention would given to the known Hotspots.
All large rocks, concrete blocks, Broken toilets, half bricks and large stones would removed from the hotspots and their surrounds.
Minister Plato will be contacting the Provincial Commissioner of Police in the Western Cape, Lieutenant General Lamoer, in an attempt to forge a more collaborative approach to resolving the N2 crime escalation.
Medium Term:
Lighting in the vicinity of known hotspot areas would be improved.
Existing CCTV cameras would be upgraded and, if necessary, new CCTV cameras will be fitted to cover all known Hotspot areas. These CCTV cameras are connected to the Cape Town emergency control room.
The fences between the N2 and the informal settlements adjacent to the Hotspot areas would be repaired and maintained.
Known escape routes would be blocked with barbed wire.
Long Term:
Councillor Jean Pierre Smith and Minister Plato have agreed to meet with an independent security company that has an Airborne Policing Solution designed at the University of Stellenbosch. All this organization are asking for is the co-operation of the various emergency departments in the Western Cape. No funding is needed from the City or the Province.
So why, a year later, are we still dealing with these horrific attacks and what has been done about it? Thank goodness for initiatives such as the N2 Safe Project and the Zello app.To read Archie Bell’s full email go to GoSouthOnline website.
SO WHAT NOW?
According to IOL, acting provincial police commissioner Thembisile Patekile was speaking at a media briefing on Thursday about improving safety measures along the 26km stretch of road between Jakes Gerwel Drive and the Firgrove off-ramp near Somerset West.
Nine kilometres of the road is the responsibility of the province, with 17km being looked after by the South African National Roads Agency Limited“Criminal activity along the road has been a problem for years and we are working hard to clamp down on crime,” Patekile said.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said the City was finalising talks with the Airports Company South Africa to contract additional law enforcement staff linked to Cape Town International Airport, who would provide extra patrols along the road.
IOL has posted a video from the meeting on Thursday of safety tips when driving on the N2.
Sources: GoSouthOnline and IOL