Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has expressed skepticism regarding the effectiveness of a proposed wall along Cape Town's N2 highway in reducing crime, stating that it will not address serious criminal activities such as organized crime, firearm-related offenses, or gang violence. In response to a parliamentary question from Build One South Africa (Bosa), Cachalia emphasized that infrastructure interventions cannot replace core policing functions.
Key Takeaways
Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia has stated that the proposed N2 wall in Cape Town will not significantly reduce crime or replace sustained policing efforts. The wall aims to address opportunistic crimes along a stretch of the highway known as the Hell Run but is criticized for bypassing community consultation and failing to tackle deeper issues like gang violence and organized crime.
- Acting Police Minister Firoz Cachalia says N2 wall won't stop serious crime or replace policing.
- The City of Cape Town plans to spend R115 million on the wall over two years.
- Critics argue the funds would be better spent on community investment and effective policing.
- Western Cape government and Sanral have not been formally consulted about the project.
The N2 wall project, proposed by the City of Cape Town, aims to curb opportunistic crimes along a stretch of the highway known as the Hell Run. However, critics argue that the R115 million allocated for the wall over two years could be better spent on addressing root socioeconomic issues and enhancing policing efforts in affected communities.
Cachalia's statement contradicts repeated assurances by Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis that the wall will help stop crime along the corridor. Bosa spokesperson Roger Solomons has criticized the project, stating that it mirrors apartheid-era spatial planning by dividing communities and shielding inequality from view.
The City of Cape Town's announcement in December 2025 faced immediate backlash for bypassing community consultation and attempting to sanitize the tourist experience. Critics argue that the budget would be better spent addressing the root socioeconomic hardships of the communities lining the N2 corridor.
Questions have also been raised over how the City plans to build the wall, as both the Western Cape government and Sanral, which have jurisdiction over parts of the areas where the wall will be built, have not been formally consulted. MEC for infrastructure Tertuis Simmers stated that any such structure would require formal approval by the department in terms of the Roads Ordinance 19 of 1976.
Cape Town’s MMC for Safety and Security, JP Smith, defended the project, stating that the City remains committed to safeguarding residents. He called for urgent proper resourcing of SAPS and the devolution of crime investigation powers to City officers. Meanwhile, Roberto Quintas, MMC for urban mobility, stated that engagements to determine the full scope of the project are underway.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 3 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.