Cape Town’s Rainbow Crossing in De Waterkant has been vandalised for a second time, with religious graffiti reading “Perversion, Romans 1:24–27” and “Jesus is Lord” appearing on the colourful crossing.

The latest vandalism comes shortly after the City of Cape Town temporarily repainted the damaged crossing in solid pink while awaiting the specialised colours required to restore the rainbow design.

According to Ward 115 Councillor Ian McMahon, the temporary pink design was inspired by Lisbon’s famous Pink Street in the Cais do Sodré neighbourhood, known for its bright pink pavement and vibrant nightlife.

However, the temporary repair has raised questions over whether the crossing complies with South Africa’s prescribed road-marking standards.

The City says the specialised colours needed to restore the rainbow crossing are not currently available and could take around three months to arrive.

Under the South African Road Traffic Signs Manual, the RTM3 pedestrian-crossing marking is classified as a regulatory road marking and is prescribed in white. The manual states that RTM3 pedestrian-crossing lines must comprise two continuous white lines, while block pedestrian crossings are also prescribed as white markings.

Section 57 of the National Road Traffic Act also prohibits unauthorised, non-compliant or decorative colours in the pedestrian right-of-way.

The concern, therefore, is not about the colour pink itself, but whether a solid pink surface can legally serve as the formal pedestrian crossing marking while the prescribed road markings are absent.

For now, the crossing remains temporarily pink as the City waits for the specialised colours needed to reinstate the original rainbow design.