Zackie Achmat challenges Geordin Hill-Lewis over controversial R114 million N2 safety wall proposal in Cape Town

Cape Town’s mayor, Geordin Hill-Lewis, is facing mounting criticism over a proposed R114 million security barrier along the N2 highway — and now veteran activist Zackie Achmat has weighed in.

The project, officially called the “N2 Edge safety project,” would see a physical barrier erected between the busy highway and nearby informal settlements including Khayelitsha, Gugulethu, Mitchell’s Plain, Philippi and other communities.

City officials say the goal is straightforward: reduce a spike in hijackings, smash-and-grab attacks and stone-throwing incidents along the key route linking Cape Town International Airport to the city centre.

But critics argue the symbolism — and the priorities — are deeply troubling.

Mayor Says Barrier Will Protect Commuters

Hill-Lewis has defended the plan strongly, pointing to recent violent incidents on the highway.

In one case, three armed suspects reportedly ambushed motorists along a stretch near Khayelitsha.

Reacting to criticism online, the mayor insisted the City would do “whatever we can” to make residents safer.

He framed the debate not around whether the wall should be built, but how quickly it can be implemented.

For many motorists who use the N2 daily, safety concerns are real.

The highway has long been flagged as a hotspot for opportunistic crime, particularly during peak traffic when vehicles slow down.

Zackie Achmat Pushes Back Hard

Achmat, known for his decades of activism around social justice and HIV/AIDS advocacy, did not mince his words.

Responding publicly, he argued that working-class residents in Gugulethu, Khayelitsha, Silvertown, Valhalla Park and Mitchell’s Plain face far more intense crime in their daily lives than passing motorists.

“We do not need an Israeli apartheid wall,” he said bluntly, drawing a provocative comparison to separation barriers elsewhere in the world.

His core argument? Instead of pouring R114 million into concrete and fencing, the city should focus on making informal settlements safer from within.

Achmat also questioned whether increased patrols and existing law enforcement resources could be deployed more effectively instead of building a divisive structure.

Short-Term Fix or Symbol of Division?

Urban planner Tumi Mpisi added nuance to the debate during an interview on Cape Talk.

She acknowledged that if engineering experts deem the wall a necessary temporary intervention, it may have merit — but warned that it cannot be the long-term answer.

Mpisi urged the city to confront deeper structural problems: poverty, unemployment, spatial segregation and inequality — issues rooted in apartheid-era planning that still shape Cape Town’s geography today.

She posed a pointed question: what pushes people to risk their lives stepping onto highways to commit crimes often labelled as “petty”?

Her suggestion was clear — investment in job creation, skills development and economic inclusion may deliver a stronger long-term return than a physical barrier.

The Broader Context of Crime and Inequality

Cape Town consistently ranks among South Africa’s most unequal cities.

Informal settlements along major transport corridors are often separated from economic hubs, reinforcing daily divisions between wealth and poverty.

The N2, in particular, has long symbolised that divide — with travellers moving between the airport and affluent suburbs passing communities battling high unemployment and limited services.

Crime statistics in the Western Cape have highlighted ongoing challenges around violent crime and property-related offences.

While visible security measures can reassure commuters, many analysts argue sustainable crime reduction depends on tackling root causes.

A Public Divided

Public reaction has been sharply split. Some residents believe any measure that improves road safety is justified.

Others view the wall as exclusionary and potentially stigmatising already marginalised communities.

The language used in the debate — including references to apartheid walls — underscores just how emotionally charged the proposal has become.

What’s Next?

The City of Cape Town is expected to continue feasibility assessments and public consultations around the N2 Edge safety project.

Budget allocations and engineering reports will likely determine whether construction proceeds as planned.

At the same time, civil society groups and activists may push for greater transparency and possibly legal or public challenges if they believe the project entrenches division.

The broader question remains whether the wall becomes a temporary crime-prevention measure — or a flashpoint in a much larger conversation about inequality in Cape Town.

Summary

Cape Town Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis’s R114 million plan to build a security barrier along the N2 highway has drawn fierce criticism from activist Zackie Achmat and urban planning experts.

While the City argues the project will curb hijackings and roadside attacks, critics say it risks deepening social divisions and ignores root causes like poverty and inequality.

The debate highlights Cape Town’s ongoing struggle to balance immediate safety concerns with long-term social reform.