Suspected Smash-and-Grabber Killed After Fleeing Into Traffic on Cape Town's N2

• A suspected smash-and-grab thief was struck and killed by a vehicle on the N2 near the Nyanga off-ramp in Cape Town
• The suspect allegedly smashed a car window during bumper-to-bumper traffic, grabbed items and fled into oncoming traffic
• Crime journalist Yusuf Abramjee shared news of the incident on X, drawing hundreds of responses from South Africans

CAPE TOWN - A suspected smash-and-grab thief lost his life on the N2 near the Nyanga off-ramp in Cape Town after running into moving traffic while fleeing the scene of a robbery.

According to crime journalist Yusuf Abramjee, who shared news of the incident on his X account, the suspect smashed the window of a vehicle that was caught in bumper-to-bumper traffic. He grabbed items from inside and bolted, crossing into oncoming lanes. A vehicle struck him, and paramedics who arrived at the scene declared him dead.

Cape Town N2 incident sparks online debate

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Abramjee's post drew significant attention, with South Africans flooding the comments section. Many users were unsympathetic towards the suspect, with some directing concern towards the vehicles involved rather than the man who died.

The reactions had a dark comic edge that reflected how desensitised many South Africans have become to smash-and-grab crime, particularly along busy Cape Town routes.

See post by Yusuf Abramjee here:

Mzansi reacts to the N2 smash-and-grab incident

@TumiWaLekhosi wrote:

"Is the car that struck him okay? We are willing to pay for its repairs."

@kiffboet said:

"The driver of the car that hit him should sue the government for not building a wall."

@LixMiller added:

"We stand with the oncoming traffic in this harsh and trying times."

@The_Villager_In noted:

"Now the owner of the other vehicle has to deal with the insurance company, panelbeaters and stuff."

@MbekiVeli said:

"And then people are criticising @CityofCT for wanting to build a wall."

Thief dies trying to escape from crime scene

Briefly News reported that a man who was trying to steal lost his life in an attempt to escape from the crime scene South Africans discussed the unfortunate end that a criminal met after he tried to pull off a heist. Reports said he met a tragic end after trying to climb over a spiked iron fence, but was impaled. The incident reportedly took place in Pretoria at 03:40 am at a 54-year-old's home, who noticed clothes on the fence and assumed they were from someone who tried to escape. The suspect allegedly tried to take off with two MacBooks and iPhone 14s

Source: Briefly News