Renewed calls for N2 security wall as smash-and-grab videos circulate

Videos circulating on social media showing how smash-and-grab attacks unfold have intensified fears among motorists, with the city reaffirming its plans for a security wall along the N2, around the airport to be erected.

The footage, shared by the Langa Safety Patrol (LSP), has sharpened concerns about the safety of one of Cape Town’s busiest transport corridors, already under scrutiny following the murder of grandmother Karin van Aardt during an attack.

Public concern intensified after the killing of the 64-year-old, a grandmother from Nelspruit who had just arrived in Cape Town to celebrate her granddaughter’s birthday. She was fatally attacked during a smash-and-grab at Jakkalsvlei Avenue and Jakes Gerwel Drive.

The City of Cape Town said a security wall is being planned but has cautioned that it will come at a high cost.

"The N2 is a national road and SANRAL and the Provincial government are responsible for the upkeep of the road like footbridges, fencing, median maintenance etc," the City said in response to Cape Argus about the wall and its cost.

"However, the City is planning for a security wall along the N2 around the airport to be erected. This will come at a significant cost estimated at around R180m, but the City is committed to ensuring it is done.

 "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."

In the first of two videos posted by the LSP on Friday, patrol members question a witness about van Aardt's attack along Jakes Gerwel Road.

The witness explains that two of his friends targeted a vehicle, stabbing the woman before the driver, her husband, fled to Epping where she collapsed.

He continues to explain that this was the first time there had been a fatal stabbing, adding they were unable to take van Aardt's phones, wallets or other valuables during the robbery.

The same witness is a second video, demonstrates how criminals use a sparkplug to break car windows during smash-and-grabs. He explains that the ceramic insulator is first smashed, with the broken ceramic pieces then placed in the mouth to become warm and moist before being used to break a car’s window.

Ward councillor Angus McKenzie said the walling project has been on the table for some time. “The walling project has been discussed for some time. It’s a costly exercise but one that is very much needed,” he said.

McKenzie said one of the major challenges in tackling smash-and-grab crime was under-reporting. “One of the biggest issue we are facing regarding smash-and-grabbing is that people don’t report it,” he said. He pointed to the investigation into the murder of Karin van Aardt as an example of the impact of information coming forward.

Mayco member for safety and security, JP Smith raised the issue at the launch of an N2 safety deployment near Borcherds Quarry in Nyanga in October, where tighter security measures were announced in response to the pattern of incidents.

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Cape Argus