I checked, but alas, they weren't diamonds. They're probably the remnant of a fender-bender or a break-in. Imagine if the glass wasn't laminated - sharp shards of plate-glass would have lain where these relatively-harmless pieces now lie.

Either someone locked their keys in their car and was forced to break a window to get inside, or the glass on this curbstone is the result of a break-in.

Some people in South Africa have opted to have a special plastic film, that prevents entire windows being easily smashed, fitted to their car's windows. Although this is mostly used as a deterrent for smash-n-grab type theft it may also make it more difficult for the smash-while-you're-away type of criminal.

I can't say that I've ever had my car broken in to in Cape Town. Have you?