The data shows that, over the festive season, nine serious incidents were reported on the N2 – in 2024, that figure was 18.

In the last seven months since July 2025:

• The Public Emergency Communication Centre has logged 8 552 calls for assistance on all major highways – 86 incidents (just over one percent) were crime related.
• City agencies have made 148 arrests as part of their highway patrols.

Two of the most recent arrests happened on 8 January – a suspect arrested for possession of a dangerous weapon at the N1/N7 interchange was later linked to multiple house robberies and criminal activity.

In Montana, a second was arrested after a foot chase, for allegedly threatening a motorist at gunpoint at the Airport Approach slip road onto the N2 outbound.

'The data shows that mechanical breakdowns and other vehicle-related faults like flat tyres and running out of petrol are what our officers attend to most, to assist and protect motorists. It also shows that attacks are a fraction of the incidents reported through official channels. Over the last few months, there've been numerous social media reports of attacks, but the advice to the public would be to report such incidents to SAPS, but also our Public Emergency Communication Centre, to ensure a proper record and response,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

Numerous incidents are detected even without a call for help, if within camera range.

Between 1 September 2024 and 11 January 2026, the City assisted 2 895 motorists on the N2 between Langa and Firgrove. Of these, 1 061 were detected by CCTV operators and help dispatched.

An analysis of response times since July 2025 shows that 80% of incidents were responded to in five minutes or less. For incidents on the R300 highway a total of 73,5% of incidents were responded to in five minutes or less.

'In September 2024, the City of Cape Town rolled out the Freeway Management plan and have steadily increased the resources on the six major highways. Criminals entering and exiting highways at will is one of the biggest challenges. More effective walling cut off easy escape routes, decrease foot traffic on the N2, and have additional benefits like cutting down on noise pollution and animals on the roadway. It would also be simply another cog in the wheel along with increased enforcement, better use of CCTV and EPIC data.

'Another challenge that will have to be addressed is the lack of effective policing and prosecutions in the criminal justice system. Already we struggle to see meaningful investment in tackling major crimes like our murder rate and the proliferation of illegal firearms, and even less interest in tackling crimes considered lower priority,' said Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, Alderman JP Smith.

The public is reminded to please report emergencies or any suspicious and/or criminal activities to the City's Public Emergency Communication Centre on 021 480 7700, and to provide detailed information such as the time, exact address and a short description.