Heavy roadworks on the N2 ahead of the 2010 World Cup have caused many delays in traffic. This has now become the new hunting ground for criminals neighbouring the busy highway. That is according to one recent victim of an attempted highway robbery, Helen Clegg.

"I was driving my son from Rondebosch to the Strand as I thought this would be safer than him catching the train. Just past the airport turnoff we got stuck in heavy pre- road works traffic and were stationary. Suddenly a young man leapt over the barrier and asked for our cell phones and other valuables. I tried to wind my window up when he stabbed me in the chest and ran off into the shacks empty handed. I was rushed to Vincent Palotti and spent two nights in IUC."

Since the incident Clegg said she has heard of many cases taking place in the same area. "I have heard there have been more incidents in the same area, with mostly women, one I know was fatal and had three young kids in the car."

Yusuf Mohammed was also robbed of his cell phone last week while standing stationary on the N2 near Khayelitsha. "I was driving back from the Strand when we were stuck in traffic. I was talking on my phone when heard a smashing noise and felt my head get hot. A young boy had broken my window and grabbed my phone.

"I ran after him and with the help of a nearby taxi driver, I got my phone back, but my window is broken and I have cuts on my face from the glass." While Mohammed was very grateful to the taxi driver who helped him, he was disappointed that despite all the commotion no police came to the rescue.  

Hotspots

Spokesperson for the Cape Town Traffic Department, Kevin Jacobs, said there are various hot spots along the N2 that motorists need to be aware of. "The area around the airport incoming and outgoing generally sees a lot of pedestrian activity, making this a hot spot for crime. Currently any area on the N2 where there is a need to slow down, presents an opportunity for criminal activity."

Jacobs said most of the road works are expected for completion by next year, however some will continue for some time after. "All we can do is appeal to the motorists just to be patient and aware of their surroundings."

Even with regular highway patrols by the city's traffic department as well as by the police, Jacobs said the length of the road makes criminal activity difficult to control. "It really is such a long stretch of road that I almost want to say that you can put as many officers on the road as you like but because of the length and breadth of the road the criminal possibility is endless. However, technology does help and we currently have 17 cameras on the highways with more scheduled to be implemented as we go on."

He added that while crime does generally increase during the festive season, Capetonians can look forward to maximised law enforcement visibility over this period as all leave scheduled for the traffic department has been cancelled. 

Media

Meanwhile spokesperson for the South African Police Service, (SAPS) Superintended Billy Jones said while there has been an increase of crime on the N2 reported in the media, crime on this road was not necessarily on the increase. "There is not an increase of crime on the N2, but incidents have been highlighted in the media which creates the perception of an increase. But there have been isolated incidents taking place around the roadwork's area and because of this we have increased our visibility patrols as well as our sector policing."  

When asked if it wise that nearby motorists attempted to help a victim during a robbery or hijacking, Jones said each situation needed to be dealt with on its own merits. "Generally, motorists tend to be helping each other which is a good sign in terms of community unity. If there are firearms involved we would advise people not to chase after them because they could be badly injured.

"But if no firearms are being used, and there are enough people to help, it would be good for the community to get involved in a situation like this and affect a citizen's arrest and then call the police." Jones urged the community to immediately dial the emergency 10111 number should they fall victim to any kind criminal activity.

Safety Tips

• Know your surroundings and be aware of what is going on around you at all times.
• Make sure you do not keep valuables in your car, lock your bag away in the boot.
• Refrain from speaking on your phones while driving, this is illegal, but also makes you a target when stationary.
• Keep your windows closed at all times.
• Have airtime on your cell phone in case of an emergency
• Make sure you have enough fuel in your car for your trip and that your veichle is in good working order, as braking down on the side on a highway makes you a target for criminal activity. VOC (Aisha Mouneimne)