Blue paint splash in Newlands street now acknowledged to be work of famous graffiti artist

Local Newlands residents are agog with the news that what they thought were just random splashes of bright blue house paint are actually the work of famous graffiti artist, Whoopsy. Peter Wilson, who lives in the street, exclaimed: 'It's art! I never realised each morning when driving to work. I thought it was some useless builder guy who spilt the paint from his bakkie and didn't bother to clean it up. Now we want to preserve it for future generations.'

The realisation that this was the new graffiti sensation at work emerged when SANRAL-approved road paint contractor, Sizwe Ngalema, was visiting a friend in the street. He instantly recognised the specialist road paint used in the artwork and linked it to the now-famous 'road paint experiment' that was visible for many years on the M1 highway between Johannesburg and Tshwane. Says Ngalema: 'Everyone in the road paint fraternity knew this was no experiment. It was one of Whoopsy's first great creations but it took many years to be widely accepted. Thousands of drivers raced over this piece, oblivious of its historical significance.'

Back in Newlands, residents are now examining the bicycle depiction on the pavement  outside one of the local schools for links to Whoopsy. At first this was just thought to be a guide for local learners but forensic tests seem likely to connect this to other Whoopsy works around the country.

Wilson again: 'We are worried that someone may try to dig up and remove these seminal works just like the Banksy piece that was taken off a shop wall in north London in 2013. We are thinking of erecting a barrier around them but the council is so far not playing ball.' Councillor Ian Iversen refused to comment.

Another resident, Annabelle Graaff says: 'I think it's so marvellous that Whoopsy has selected our suburb for his latest oeuvres. Who knows, he may even be living right here among us.'