CoCT using R114m N2 wall to hide poverty from tourists, says ANC

The African National Congress (ANC) caucus in the Cape Town council said the N2 edge safety project is an attempt by the city to hide poorer communities from tourists visiting the city.

In a move to protect commuters, Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis announced last week that R114 million will be spent on building a safety wall along nine kilometres of the N2 highway.

Leader of the opposition in the Cape Town council and ANC caucus leader Ndithini Tyhido said the wall is an attempt to hide poverty from tourists coming into the city.

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Tyhido said, “Instead of erecting a wall, invest that money in the capacitation of community neighbourhood watches and CPFs [Community Policing Forums]. Have visible patrollers and a stipend that would be derived from the money so that the money can derive benefit for the communities.”

Hill-Lewis said the safety wall will work in conjunction with city police.

“This project will not only repair safety barriers and install new ones, the N2 edge project will improve safety alongside the city’s beefed-up highway patrol unit, with 45 new metro cops deployed to the N2 late last year,” said Hill-Lewis.

The Good party insists the money allocated for the wall would be better spent on social development in crime-affected areas.