South Africa has been grappling with persistently high rates of road accidents and breakdowns that can leave motorists stranded in unfamiliar or unsafe conditions.
In 2026, the reality for many motorists is that a simple journey can quickly turn risky. In this environment, the role of reliable roadside assistance has shifted from convenience to necessity.
One company operating largely behind the scenes is Cape Road Assist, a Cape Town–based roadside and incident management service that responds to emergencies across the Mother City.
How Cape Road Assist is tackling unsafe roads in the Cape
Headquartered in Montague Gardens, the company runs a 24-hour call centre and a fleet of response vehicles that operate day and night — often arriving long before help would otherwise be available.
Cape Road Assist’s work ranges from everyday vehicle problems, such as flat tyres, battery failures and fuel shortages, to more serious incidents — including accident scene management, towing and flood recovery.
Uniquely, the company also works alongside medical services and insurers, helping to stabilise situations that could otherwise escalate into serious safety risks for drivers and passengers.
Their operation is set apart by its emphasis on response time and coordination. In a country where emergency resources are often stretched thin, the ability to dispatch trained personnel quickly — sometimes within minutes — can make a tangible difference.
Their services extend beyond Cape Town’s city limits, reaching up to 100 kilometres outside the metro, covering routes where delays can be especially dangerous.
The value of roadside assistance in the big city
The importance of this work was recently discussed on ace.radio, during an interview with Shaeka Jappie, a member of the Cape Road Assist team. Speaking candidly about the realities of roadside emergencies, Jappie highlighted the importance of their city-wide network in keeping Cape Town drivers safe.
The conversation on ace.radio offers a grounded look at how small incidents of flat tyres or empty fuel tanks can turn dire without proper assistance. Listen to the full segment below.
At a time when drivers are increasingly aware of the dangers they face, companies like Cape Road Assist play a practical, often uncelebrated role.
With road conditions as unpredictable as Cape Town’s, they’re helping ensure that when things go wrong, South Africans are not left alone on the roadside.
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