Cape Town’s hell run claims another life

Emre Uygun, a councillor in the City of Cape Town, has called for action after another death on the road known as the hell run.

The hell run is a stretch of the N2 highway between Cape Town International Airport and the city centre, which is dangerous for motorists.

Over the last few years, many South Africans have been attacked and even murdered on the N2 and the roads feeding into it.

Criminals throw rocks from bridges or the roadside to smash windshields and force cars to stop, and exploit traffic congestion to rob motorists.

Spikes or debris are sometimes placed on the road to cause punctures, which the criminals use to stop cars and ambush those in the vehicle.

Uygun said that despite a decrease in incidents, following numerous complaints, the daily threat remains a reality.

He cited the death of a 16-year-old robber on the N2 as proof that the hell run still poses a danger to motorists and young people exploited by crime syndicates.

Commuters have no alternative route and are vulnerable, often stuck in traffic, leaving them little chance of escape if targeted.

Uygun requested a stronger, more visible police and traffic-control presence during peak hours, especially in areas where motorists are soft targets.

“Crime syndicates deliberately recruit minors because they know the criminal justice system tends to deal less severely with children,” he said.

“Community safety structures in the surrounding informal settlements should be empowered to serve as eyes and ears on the ground.”

These communities should also help prevent young people from being drawn into the criminal network.

“SANRAL, the City of Cape Town and the Western Cape government should expedite the planned construction of the N2 wall to restrict criminal escape routes,” he said.

“The fact that the different spheres of government are passing the responsibility around does not help.”

“Yesterday’s tragic incident should serve as a wake-up call to act without delay, before more motorists or young people pay with their lives on this route.”