Cape Town – The City of Cape Town has confirmed that the controversial N2 Wall Project will go ahead, with the first phase expected to be completed by January 2027.
Estimated to cost around R107 million, the project forms part of a broader safety intervention along sections of the N2 highway. It aims to reduce incidents of crime and roadside attacks in high-risk areas.
Speaking on CapeTalk, Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security JP Smith said the wall is also intended to improve pedestrian safety, enhance physical security and prevent loss of life.
During the interview, radio host John Maytham raised concerns about the “optics” of the wall, suggesting it could be perceived as isolating nearby informal settlements and highlighting poverty.
But Smith defended the project, saying that he had shown Accelerate Cape Town video footage of young children running out from between structures, throwing bricks at passing vehicles and disappearing within seconds.
“I think once you see that, you understand how extreme an obstacle it is to prevent or improve safety there. And the suggestion that this in any way is an attempt to hide the structures, for me, is an almost macabre concept,” he said.
The City maintains that the wall forms part of a wider safety strategy, which includes increased patrols, surveillance systems and other operational measures along the route.
The project remains on track for phased completion, with authorities continuing to monitor high-risk zones along the corridor.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, X and Instagram
Picture: Facebook / JP Smith
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
