Suspect apprehended after Cape Town Rainbow Crossing vandalised again

The pedestrian crossing along Somerset Road between the intersections with Alfred Street and Dixon Street, in Green Point, was painted in pink, as an interim solution, while the City of Cape Town is procuring the paint needed to reapply the rainbow colours.

A suspect has been apprehended after Cape Town’s Rainbow Crossing in De Waterkant was vandalised again, this time with the words “Perversion” and “Romans 1:24–27” spray-painted across its temporary pink surface.

The latest incident comes just days after the City painted the landmark pedestrian crossing pink following an earlier act of vandalism over the weekend of September 5 and 6.

City Mayoral Committee Member for Urban Mobility, Councillor Rob Quintas, confirmed that a suspect had been apprehended after the crossing was targeted again.

“A suspect was apprehended after the crossing was vandalised again with spray paint on Tuesday morning,” Quintas said.

The biblical passage referenced in the graffiti is commonly interpreted in Christian theology as referring to God “giving over” people to sinful desires after they reject or turn away from Him.

The crossing, situated along Somerset Road between Alfred and Dixon streets, was originally painted in rainbow colours in October 2022 as a symbol of the LGBTQIA+ community and Cape Town’s commitment to inclusivity.

Following the first incident, City officials moved to repair the crossing, but not all of the specialised colours needed to restore the rainbow design were immediately available.

As an interim measure, the entire crossing was painted pink.

Quintas said it was uncertain exactly when sections of the original paint had been removed.

“The pedestrian crossing was vandalised over the weekend of 5 and 6 September 2026. It is uncertain when exactly sections of the paint were removed,” he said.

He said the decision to paint the crossing pink was temporary while the City sourced the correct paint needed to restore the original design.

“It will take time to procure the paint in the different rainbow colours. The pink was used as an interim solution, while we are busy procuring the paint needed to reapply the rainbow colours at this pedestrian crossing,” Quintas said.

The City still needs to obtain violet, indigo, green, yellow, orange and red paint.

According to Quintas, the procurement process could take up to three months because the paint must comply with South African National Standards for road markings.

“We repainted the pedestrian crossing in pink, while we are busy procuring the paint needed to apply the rainbow colours these are violet, indigo, green, yellow, orange, and red,” he said.

“It may take up to three months to procure the paint as it also needs to comply with the SANS standards for road markings.”

The City said it was not yet able to determine how much the repairs and full restoration would cost because the procurement process was still under way.

The crossing has become a recognisable feature of the De Waterkant and Green Point precinct, an area long associated with Cape Town’s LGBTQIA+ community, nightlife and social spaces.

Quintas said the City would restore the original rainbow design once the correct paint had been procured.

“Cape Town is known for its vibrant LGBTQIA+ nightlife and community. We want all to feel welcome in our city where we embrace diversity,” he said.

“We will not be discouraged by any vandalism, this is why we immediately applied the pink paint – to make it clear that Cape Town is an inclusive city, and home to all of us.”