It is regrettable that the City of Cape Town waited until the situation became a crisis that claimed human lives before Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis allocated R114 million to enhance safety measures on the so-called “Hell Run” section of the N2 near the airport.
The situation is reminiscent of the current foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, where decisive action was only taken after it had turned into a crisis.
The announcement that roads around the airport will be secured follows constant pressure from the Freedom Front Plus (VF Plus) since last year.
This financial commitment is, nevertheless, a positive step towards addressing a problem plaguing motorists for more than two decades.
The City’s steps are welcomed, but it is lamentable that so much time and so many lives had to be lost in the meantime.
The Freedom Front Plus has for a long time emphasised that motorists are not safe on Cape Town’s highways and made practical proposals for protecting them. In addition to these campaigns, the Freedom Front Plus has also taken concrete steps by establishing a support group for victims and, together with other crime activists, arranging trauma counselling through Mediclinic for victims of attacks on highways.
At yesterday’s council meeting, the Freedom Front Plus supported the City of Cape Town in taking over the responsibility of maintaining and repairing traffic lights from SANRAL.
The collaboration between the City and SANRAL was a pleasant surprise for the Freedom Front Plus, given their history of trading accusations over who is responsible for securing the relevant section of the highway.
SANRAL even issued a statement claiming that the City never consulted it about the proposed R180 million security wall.
It is time to bury the hatchet and prioritise motorists’ safety.
The Freedom Front Plus will do everything in its power to ensure that the City of Cape Town and SANRAL work together, and that the available funds are wisely spent to finally make the notorious N2 “Hell Run” safe for local motorists and visitors alike.
