The most dangerous road in Cape Town

File photo: Matthew Jordaan

File photo: Matthew Jordaan

Published Apr 13, 2016

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Cape Town - Jakes Gerwel Drive is the most dangerous road in Cape Town.

Despite the 200 smash-and-grab incidents along the road last year, the City of Cape Town says they are winning the war on crime.

The City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says measures are in place to curb crime on Jakes Gerwel Drive.

Smith said: “In terms of smash-and-grab incidents, Jakes Gerwel Drive is definitely the most prominent hotspot.

“Criminals will operate in areas where they have quick escape routes, so intersections is considered to be close to such escape routes and could be potentially problematic.

“Also, if there is a high foot traffic in the area, that provides a cover for would-be criminals and it is difficult to identify a potential attacker.”

Most incidents occurred during winter, with 42 smash-and-grabs in June, while no incidents were reported in November, and only four in December.

Smith said motorists using cellphones while driving give thiefs a chance to strike.

“How many times have you pulled up next to someone at an intersection and they are completely engrossed in their phone, oblivious to their surroundings and are easy targets for those with criminal intent?” he asked.

Some of the City’s measures to alert motorists include erecting warning signs at hotspots.

Cops have been deployed at dangerous spots, while CCTV cameras surveys volatile areas.

“The Metro Police Department has established a Camera Response Unit which is linked to the CCTV of the Department,” Smith explained.

“Smash-and-grab warnings have been erected on Jakes Gerwel Drive between the N2 and Bofors Circle. Metro Police also have two-man task teams stationed in Langa.”

Lavender Hill community leader Clive Jacobs said Prince George Drive and Military Road were also hotspots for crime.

A warning sign has been erected to alert motorists.

“We have seen incidents where groups of youngsters will hide in gaps between walls and target women and children,” he said.

“The problem is people who support them because we have had incidents where they’ve run into the courts with whole lambs on their backs.”

On March 2, an Italian woman made headlines when she shot and killed Siphesihle Mkunqwana, 16, along Jakes Gerwel Drive near Langa after he smashed her car window and grabbed her bag.

She was not criminally charged and returned to Italy.

Police this week revealed Cape Town’s hotspots for hijackings and smash-and-grabs on the city’s roads.

People have been warned to be vigilant while travelling along:

* Voortrekker Road, between Bellville and Parow

* The Corner of Military Road and Prince George Drive in Steenberg.

* St Stephens Road, Lavender Hill

* Alice Street, especially near Voortrekker Road.

* Station Road, Goodwood

* Klipfontein Road

* The corner of Prestwich Road and Ebenhezer, Green Point

* Jakes Gerwel Drive

* The R300 under the bridges towards the N1 highway.

Daily Voice

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