Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of the City’s proposed R120 million N2 security wall project, stating that it does not replace real police work. The project, announced by Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis, aims to curb violent crime, especially ‘smash-and-grab’ attacks on the route colloquially known as the ‘Hell Run’.
According to the City, the N2 Edge project will seek to replace and reinforce a severely deteriorated security barrier along the N2, alongside a package of safety and community-focused interventions. However, Khayelitsha residents and activists have contended that the money should be prioritised for basic services, such as housing, unmaintained toilets, and floodlights, rather than a barrier they view as “dehumanising”.
N2 Security Wall Project Criticisms
Critics, including political parties such as the Good Party and Build One South Africa (BOSA), have argued that the project will entrench “apartheid-era spatial planning” by physically segregating communities. In a written reply to Bosa’s parliamentary question, Cachalia stated that the SAPS has determined that the proposed building is not considered a replacement for the need for active, on-the-ground policing and better criminal investigations.
“While the construction of a highway wall along the N2 may contribute to situational crime prevention by restricting pedestrian access to the roadway and potentially reducing certain opportunistic crimes directed at motorists, infrastructure interventions cannot replace core policing functions,” said Cachalia, adding that the construction of the wall will not directly address organised criminal activity operating beyond the immediate roadside environment, firearm-related offences, gang-related violence, or broader public order challenges affecting surrounding communities.
City’s Response to Criticisms
Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith, said the ongoing politicking surrounding the N2 wall by opposition parties indicates that these parties ‘prioritise politics over the needs of the people’. While they continue to distort the narrative around this issue, people are still falling victim to crime incidents on the N2. The City remains committed to safeguarding our residents and will not be swayed by the opinions of opposition politicians or an acting minister who continues to fail communities across the metro,” said Smith.
Smith said the infrastructure is just one part of the safety picture and must be complemented by effective policing and prosecutions. This is why the City has been calling for the urgent proper resourcing of SAPS, as well as the devolution of crime investigation powers to City officers, who are ready to help build prosecution-ready case dockets in support of the SAPS and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), as outlined on the South African Government website.
Some of the concerns and benefits of the project include:
- Reducing crime incidents on the N2
- Improving safety for motorists and residents
- Addressing organised criminal activity
- Prioritising basic services for Khayelitsha residents
As the debate surrounding the N2 security wall project continues, it remains to be seen whether the City’s efforts will be effective in reducing crime and improving safety for residents and motorists.
