Flooding causes traffic snarl-ups in Cape Town

The morning commute to work turned into a nightmare for motorists who braved rain and flooding in Cape Town on Friday.

A section of the N2 freeway flooded‚ causing long delays and frustration for commuters.

The N2 outgoing at Liesbeek Parkway was closed down due to flooding.

Cape Town is the most congested city in the country. Recently‚ Metrorail came under attack by vandals who targeted signalling equipment. Thousands of commuters were left stranded.

Janine Myburgh‚ president of the Cape Chamber of Commerce‚ said last week that the attacks amounted to sabotage of a service that vital to the economy of the city.

“The old methods of trying to prevent theft and damage are no longer working so we need a new approach. The world has changed. Thieves are being warned by cellphone. They clearly have a better intelligence network than Metrorail or the police. It’s time to catch up‚” she said.

Members of the chamber reported that traffic was heavier than usual as train commuters opted to use their cars to get to work.

This year‚ the chamber conducted a survey among companies. About 90% said traffic congestion was costing them time and money.

– TMG Digital/The Times