N2 Safety Summit announced as Freedom Front Plus responds to Police Minister on highway security

The Freedom Front Plus has responded to comments by the Acting Minister of Police regarding the proposed safety wall along the N2 Highway near Cape Town International Airport. In his response, the Minister stated that building a wall would not be an effective solution to crime in the area. However, party representatives argue that police visibility along the highway has been extremely limited, leaving motorists vulnerable to attacks.

One of the main concerns raised relates to the capacity of the South African Police Service station in Nyanga, which is responsible for policing the area surrounding the airport and the section of the N2 where the wall has been proposed. The station is classified as a Colonel-level station and has significantly fewer resources than Brigadier-level stations. Nyanga is also regularly ranked among the city’s top stations for murder cases, placing significant strain on officers and detectives.

According to reports, detectives at some of the busiest stations in the city are responsible for between 300 and 500 case dockets each. This heavy workload makes thorough investigations difficult and limits the ability of police to focus on crimes such as attacks on motorists along major highways. The party has suggested that the Minister consider granting additional investigative powers to the City of Cape Town to help improve the chances of successful prosecutions.

There have also been calls for stronger policing measures, including increased aerial support. Critics argue that police helicopters are often visible during peak tourist periods along the beaches but are rarely deployed when suspects flee from the N2 into nearby informal settlements. Greater use of aerial patrols, along with coordinated ground operations, has been suggested as a way to improve response times and deterrence.

These issues will also form part of discussions at the upcoming “Running the Gauntlet – N2 Safety Summit 2026.” The event will bring together activists, private security companies, road authorities and law enforcement representatives to address growing concerns about attacks on motorists along the N2, the R300 Regional Route and roads leading to the airport. The summit, scheduled for 27 June 2026 in Somerset West, aims to develop collaborative solutions and give affected motorists an opportunity to share their experiences and contribute to improving safety along some of Cape Town’s most important transport routes.