Cape Town – A gunman armed with a semi-automatic rifle, accompanied by at least two others, held up motorists on the N2 in Cape Town near Mew Way, Khayelitsha, around 2 pm on Wednesday, despite heightened law enforcement patrols.
The perpetrators escaped into a nearby informal settlement and remain at large.
Images shared on X by @CapeTownFreeway appeared to show the man dressed in black with accomplices on the roadside.
Crime incident: N2 Inbound before Mew Way, services on scene, all lanes open, expect delays. #ShareTheRoad pic.twitter.com/gmKfqyh7Iy
— Cape Town FMS (@CapeTownFreeway) February 18, 2026
Cape Town public safety MMC JP Smith said: “City officials responded swiftly, but the perpetrators escaped into the nearby informal settlement before they could be apprehended and remain at large.”
The N2, notoriously called “the hell run” due to frequent smash-and-grab attacks, has sparked alarm over motorists’ safety.
Councillor Emre Uygun from the Freedom Front Plus criticised the effectiveness of deploying 40 metro police officers near Cape Town International Airport, citing his own dashcam observations of minimal visible policing.
JP Smith further highlighted the systemic safety issues along the N2, stating: “Another crime incident occurred on the N2 today, and with all the media attention around this issue, it serves as a stark reminder that improved walling along the N2 is urgently needed to keep our residents safe from brazen attacks.”
He also noted the importance of coordinated government action, recalling a recent meeting with National Minister Barbara Creecy: “Of the 14 hotspots identified, all 14 are located on the N2… This demonstrates that through consistent enforcement and stable governance, reductions in loss of life can be achieved.”
Smith criticised opposition parties for politicising the issue rather than supporting safety interventions, and he stressed the need for stronger legal authority to investigate crime and improve conviction rates, particularly for dangerous offenses such as drunk driving.
Councillor Uygun echoed the urgency, calling for visible policing, rapid response, and even drone surveillance to monitor criminals escaping into informal settlements: “The situation on the N2 is spiralling out of control and requires urgent intervention from all three spheres of government. We cannot afford any further attempts to downplay or dismiss the ongoing attacks.”
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Picture: Pixabay
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
