Siboniso Duma, KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements. (Gallo Images/Darren Stewart)
- KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma is making his way to the N3 Toll Route.
- Scores of motorists have been left stranded in parts of KwaZulu-Natal and Free State due to the heavy snowfall.
- The MEC said the recent conditions were the “reality of erratic weather patterns” caused by climate change.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma is expected to make his way to the N3 Toll Route after scores of motorists were left stranded following heavy snowfalls that resulted in the freeway being closed in both directions between Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in the Free State.
The department has deployed a team of officers from the Road Traffic Inspectorate to assist motorists.
“We are encouraged by the hard work and the partnership between private and public emergency rescue services, who are assisting stranded motorists on various routes affected by the snow,” Duma said.
He added that he was en route to the N3 to strengthen coordination between the intervention teams from the Pietermaritzburg and Ladysmith regions.
Duma said:
From approximately 10:00 to 11:30, I will be stationed near the Mandela Capture Site in Howick, together with the team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate.
“The team will begin clearing the accumulated snow using the most appropriate snowplough blade.”
The MEC said the recent conditions were the “reality of erratic weather patterns” caused by climate change.
“Every year, we witness extreme heat followed by heavy rains and snow.”
He said the department was paying close attention to the following key routes in KwaZulu-Natal, which remain closed due to heavy snowfall, ice and rain:
- N3 Toll Route from Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal to Harrismith
- N3 Harrismith to Tugela Toll
- R74 (Harrismith to Bergville)
- R74 Greytown/Colenso Road is closed due to heavy snowfall at Santa Maria
- R617 (Kokstad to Underberg)* Tugela Plaza* R103* N3 North
- N11 – Ladysmith to Newcastle
- N11 Amajuba Pass
The R33 between Vryheid and Dundee remained open, but there was water pooling on the road at Cotswold. The R34 from Newcastle to Blood River/Vryheid is now open, with snow along the route.
The R33 from Vryheid to Paulpietersburg and the R34 between Vryheid and Melmoth remain open, and the N2 Ingeli and N3 in Mooi River were under close observation, the department said.