The Freedom Front Plus (FF Plus) is demanding answers from authorities after service-delivery protests severely disrupted traffic on two of Cape Town’s main transport routes this morning, leaving commuters stranded during peak traffic.
Protesters blocked the N2 near Borcherds Quarry and the R300, in the vicinity of Cape Town International Airport, causing serious congestion on surrounding roads and affected commuters, businesses and emergency services alike.
Motorists targeted
The chaos also created an opportunity for criminals, according to FF Plus councillor Emre Uygen, who says reports emerged that robbers exploited the gridlock near the Borcherds Quarry off-ramp, targeting motorists who were trapped in the congestion caused by the protests.
Uygen says this morning’s protests raise serious questions about whether authorities had sufficient intelligence or prior warning of the planned action.
ALSO READ: Gun-slinging stranger terrorises Brackenfell motorists in road rage incident
“What is particularly alarming is that a relatively small group of people, captured on a photo taken before 04:00 this morning, were able to disrupt two crucial transport routes during peak traffic,” he says.
“Clarity should be provided on whether there was any prior intelligence and, if so, why preventive measures were not implemented.”
Commuters bear the brunt
The N2 is one of Cape Town’s most important transport arteries, carrying large volumes of traffic every day. “The people most affected by the disruption are ordinary residents trying to get to work on time, drop their children at school or travel to the airport,” he says.
“Although section 17 of the Constitution protects the right to assemble, protest peacefully and unarmed, the courts have ruled that this right does not extend to infringing on the rights of others, intimidating the public or blocking public roads.”
The Freedom Front Plus has called on the relevant authorities to provide clarity on what transpired this morning, what information was available beforehand and why appropriate measures to prevent the disruption of this important transport route were not put in place.
“The city and its people should never again be held hostage like this by criminality,” the party said.
ALSO READ: City denies congestion charge
