The City of Cape Town has confirmed plans to erect a so-called “security wall” along a stretch of the N2 near the Cape Town International Airport, as the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) says it is not aware of, nor involved in, the proposal. 

The decision follows a series of violent crimes, like smash-and-grab incidents, on that road as well as roads leading to it, with the recent murder of 64-year-old Karin Van Aardt having renewed pressure on the authorities to act.  

READ MORE:  Three Accused in Van Aardt Murder Case Remain in Custody – Smile 90.4FM

In response to a SmileFM query, the City said it intends to build the wall around the airport, adding that it is estimated to cost R180 million to do so. It further noted that the proposal is still in its early stages and tied to future budget planning.  

 “The City is currently preparing its capital budget for the next Medium-Term Revenue and Expenditure Framework. More details will be available by the time of the budget tabling in March.”  

The City acknowledged that the N2 is not its primary responsibility but notes that it is “committed to ensuring it is done”. 

“The N2 is a national road and SANRAL and the Provincial government are responsible for the upkeep of the road like footbridges, fencing, median maintenance etc. However, the City is planning for a security wall.” 

Meanwhile, according to SANRAL spokesperson, Lwando Mahlasela, the agency does not manage the full stretch of road in question.  

“The portion of N2 between the CTIA area to Raapenberg Interchange (N2/M5) falls under the jurisdiction of the Western Cape Department of Infrastructure, and the portion of N2 from Raapenberg Interchange (M5) into the city centre falls under the City of Cape Town jurisdiction,” he said.  

Mahlasela further clarified that its jurisdiction of the N2 in the city only starts just before the Swartklip Interchange (N2/R300) eastwards.  

He also confirmed that SANRAL has not been consulted on the construction of the wall. 

“SANRAL has not been engaged by the City of Cape Town on the proposed wall. It is not clear on who’s jurisdiction of the N2 the wall being referred will be built,” he said. 

Nonetheless, Mahlasela noted that SANRAL supports physical barriers in principle, saying they are critical for road safety and managing pedestrian activity.  

Several political parties have welcomed the proposal of the security wall, but some note that it’s a short-term safety measure and others criticise it as inadequate and symbolic amid escalating violent crime along airport-bound routes.  

The City of Cape Town has confirmed that the 37-year-old man implicated in the death of LEAP officer Lyle Thomas has been granted bail at the Philippi Magistrate’s Court.

The accused appeared on Wednesday on a charge of culpable homicide, a development that has deepened the grief and frustration felt by Thomas’s family, colleagues and the wider community.

A vehicle struck and killed 20 year old Lyle Thomas on Sunday on Jakes Gerwel Drive.

Read more: Young LEAP officer killed by alleged drunk driver

His death has sent shockwaves through Bonteheuwel and beyond. People knew him not only as a law enforcement officer, but as a young man committed to serving and protecting his community.

Law Enforcement officers were at court to support Thomas’s family during the bail proceedings, as they continue to navigate the emotional weight of their loss.

Bonteheuwel Ward Councillor Angus McKenzie has announced that a memorial service will be held on Friday. Thomas’s funeral set to take place on Sunday.

“This Friday, we will gather for Lyle’s memorial service, and on Sunday, we will lay him to rest.”

Mckenzie calls on the community to stand united around the grieving family during what he described as an unbearably painful time.

“To Lyle’s mom, we wrap you in our love and prayers. We are heartbroken at the loss of such a remarkable young man. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.”

The suspect accused of fatally striking a cyclist with his BMW in Camps Bay has been released on R15,000 bail.

27-year-old Bongani Mthethwa, who appeared in the Cape Town Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, is facing charges of culpable homicide after colliding with 41-year-old cyclist Idries Sheriff on Victoria Drive near Glen Beach, at around 07:00 on Tuesday morning.

Several eyewitnesses on the scene allege that Mthethwa was drunk behind the wheel and was racing up Victoria Drive from the direction of Clifton.

Sheriff was reportedly struck head-on as Mthethwa lost control of the vehicle and swerved across the oncoming lane and onto the pavement.

Before the fatal collision, another eyewitness, who spoke to Smile FM, said he and a group of cyclists were travelling through Camps Bay at around 05:45 on the fateful morning.

At the time, they noticed two vehicles, a blue BMW and a white BMW 3 Series, parked near the Pick n Pay, facing in the direction of Hout Bay.

He says there was a group of about seven people in the vicinity who appeared to be highly intoxicated and were loud and disruptive, clearly having continued partying from the previous night.

“Members of our group commented that they were drunk and should not be driving in that condition.”

The eyewitness says on their return from Noordhoek, they came across the horrific accident scene and observed that the same blue BMW was involved.

The white BMW was parked on the side of the road a few metres ahead, facing towards Sea Point. The driver appeared to be asleep behind the steering wheel, with three Metro Police officers attending to the vehicle.

He says the driver of the blue BMW, later identified as Bongani Mthetwa, was standing at the scene with a blanket around him. He was arrested shortly after.

A large group of cyclists staged a ride-in to the courthouse ahead of Mthethwa’s appearance to demand that he should not be released on bail. Premier Alan Winde supported that call.

While the cycling community has expressed disappointment that the suspect received bail, they have appealed that he be prosecuted within the full extent of the law, to ensure the repercussions of this kind of vehicular manslaughter are taken seriously.

In a petition, the cycling community also called on the City of Cape Town and its law enforcement agencies to tighten speeding regulations and ensure adequate roadblocks and checks for blood alcohol levels, especially in high cyclist traffic areas such as the Atlantic Seaboard.

The Pedal Power Association has also appointed an attorney to observe proceedings in the case, which has been remanded to 22 April 2026 for further investigation.

The last section of the Central Line, where services were halted due to infrastructure theft and damage or land occupation, will soon be up and running again. 

PRASA Western Cape confirmed that it has been running test trains on the Philippi-to-Kapteinsklip line this week, as part of the final phase of restoring the train route.  

Services on the Central Line were completely closed in October 2019, following widespread theft and vandalism, with land occupation during the Covid-19 lockdown having worsened the situation.  

Following extensive rehabilitation work, all the corridors have since been restored, with almost all of them operational. 

PRASA Western Cape says the current testing phase marks a significant milestone. 

“The test train will service Philippi, Lentegeur, Mitchell’s Plain and Kapteinsklip stations – key sections in the final phase of restoring full Central Line operations. This critical public transportation corridor serves thousands of commuters daily,” read a PRASA Western Cape statement.  

PRASA Western Cape said repair work included “track rehabilitation and readiness”, “signalling system repairs and testing” and “overhead traction equipment reinstatement and energisation”, among other critical infrastructure upgrades. 

The rail agency added that the test trains mark the final transition before the safety checks and certifications needed to reopen the line.  

“The only remaining work is conducting integrity tests and submitting them to the Railway Safety Regulator (RSR) for final sign-off.” 

PRASA noted that the Philippi-Kapteinsklip line is expected to open for public use in January, ahead of the start of the school year on 14 January.  

Its full reopening is expected to provide major relief to hundreds of daily commuters. 

“This progress brings PRASA Western Cape closer to restoring the full Central Line, one of the region’s most important rail corridors,” read a PRASA Western Cape statement.