Francesca Villette
AT LEAST 15 people have been arrested for criminal activity along the N2 “Hell Run” in recent months, acting provincial police commissioner Thembisile Patekile said.
He was speaking at a media briefing yesterday about improving safety measures along the 26km stretch of road between Jakes Gerwel Drive and the Firgrove off-ramp near Somerset West.
Nine kilometres of the road is the responsibility of the province, with 17km being looked after by the SA National Road Agency.
“Criminal activity along the road has been a problem for years and we are working hard to clamp down on crime,” Patekile said.
The “Hell Run” has been a hot spot for criminals, who place rocks and concrete slabs on it as a ploy to force motorists to stop.
Criminals then rob and sometimes even assault motorists.
Attacks on the N2 this year include that on Tristan Bruce, 27, who was injured when his car was struck by a rock. On July 29, Warrant Officer Petrus Holz was robbed and stabbed to death by two people after one of the tyres on his car was punctured.
In May, a man was arrested for attempting to rob a metro police officer.
In April, Hermanus resident Keith Ashen ruptured a tyre but continued driving and called for help.
Community Safety MEC Dan Plato called a meeting last year with police and City officials to respond to the spate of crime along the road.
A priority committee, co-ordinated by director Robbie Robberts, director of policing and enforcement services at the City, was established.
Since then police visibility has been increased, with more police patrols along the road, while there was an investment in more CCTV cameras.
Mayoral committee member for safety and security JP Smith said the City was finalising talks with the Airports Company South Africa to contract additional law enforcement staff linked to Cape Town International Airport, who would provide extra patrols along the road.
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