Increased Metro Police presence on N2 freeway aims to protect commuters

In a move aimed at protecting commuters and visitors along one of the city’s busiest routes, the City has announced the deployment of 44 additional Metro Police officers along the N2 freeway.

Mayor Geordin Hill-Lewis said the new officers would operate around the airport approach and other high-risk stretches, working in shifts around the clock.

“We are now deploying 44 staff, day and night, working in shifts along this highway, particularly focused on this stretch and around the airport approach. They will be deployed with immediate effect, and I think it will make a huge positive difference for all the hundreds of thousands of people who use the N2 every day,” said Hill-Lewis.

“Sanral controls a very important aspect of the safety on this road through their cameras, but we have had a lot of issues with these cameras not picking up when people are in trouble. We have 500 incidents a month, and when the cameras are not working, it makes it difficult.”

Hill-Lewis outlined a new protocol ensuring that if cameras are offline for more than a few days, the issue is escalated directly to him, with the Sanral CEO being contacted if necessary.

“We can assure you that our cameras, more than 95% of them, are always operational. When a camera goes down, it must be repaired immediately to ensure safety along this highway.”

The 44 new officers are a City deployment, complementing provincial traffic officers already on the route.

The Integrated Freeway Management Plan currently deploys approximately 50 officers per shift across key routes, including the N2, R300, N1, N7, and the airport approach.

Provincial traffic provides 16 officers and nine mobile units, including four motorcycles, to support operations.

The mayor also highlighted that the City’s total investment in Metro Police staffing, uniforms, and firearms exceeds R300 million, excluding an additional R150 million capital budget for vehicles.

Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith said the additional deployment would improve frequency and visibility along all major freeways.

“We’ve had a freeway safety plan for several years, covering the N1, N2, R300, M5, and N7, but hotspots shift over time. This means a far more consistent presence on all these roads,” Smith said.

“In the past year, 85% of the 2,215 incidents responded to by Metro Police officers on the N2 and R300 related to vehicle breakdowns, running out of fuel, or flat tyres. There were eight incidents where officers assisted motorists who were robbed.”

The City’s enhanced freeway enforcement, part of the broader Integrated Freeway Safety Plan, uses advanced technology, including automated licence plate recognition (ANPR), dashcams, drones, and body-worn cameras.

The plan coordinates efforts with SAPS, provincial traffic authorities, public transport providers, and Eskom. The Western Cape Minister of Police Oversight and Community Safety, Anroux Marais, welcomed the deployment.

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