Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis has doubled down on his plans to construct a R114 million N2 wall – named the Edge Safety Project – after another motorist attack on the highway, near Khayelitsha, this week.

This comes as the city has expressed its concern about an increase in hijackings, smash-and-grab incidents, and stone-throwing incidents along the road between Cape Town’s airport and the city centre.

Officials are hopeful that the barrier will “improve safety for commuters, pedestrians, and communities”.

KHAYELITSHA: GUNMAN ATTACKS MOTORISTS

On Wednesday, 18 February, three unknown gunmen attempted to ambush motorists on the N2 inbound before Mew Way, Khayelitsha.

According to reports, the men were dressed in all black and armed with semi-automatic rifles, pointing their guns at passing motorists.

The trio evaded arrest and fled into the nearby township of Khayelitsha.

Cape Town public safety MMC JP Smith said of the incident: “City officials responded swiftly. But the perpetrators escaped into the nearby informal settlement before they could be apprehended and remain at large.”

He added: “This incident serves as a stark reminder that improved walling along the N2 is urgently needed to keep our residents safe from brazen attacks,’

CAPE TOWN MAYOR ON N2 WALL: ‘DO IT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE’

On his X account, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis claimed that the attack on the N2 outside Khayelitsha was another reason behind the city’s decision to build a wall.

He tweeted of the incident: “And still a few people say we should not build a proper security barrier on the N2! 🤦‍♂️ Kan jy dit glo! [Can you believe it?]

He added: “Let me be quite clear. We will do whatever we can to make Capetonians safer. The only question is not if we should, but how we can do it as soon as possible! ✅”.