Operations to clear heavy snowfall in certain parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State got underway on the N3 Toll Route along Van Reenen Pass. (@SANRAL_za/X, formerly Twitter)
- Several roads have been reopened to traffic after being closed due to heavy snowfall.
- Authorities in KZN have deployed more graders to assist with the rescue operations.
- The Sani Pass, Boesmansnek and Monontsha ports of entry have also been closed for operation.
The majority of roads which were closed due to the heavy snowfall have been cleared and reopened for traffic on Sunday morning.
Snowfall began to disrupt traffic along the N3 Toll Route and most other regional roads on Friday night, leaving scores of motorists stranded on the road for more than 12 hours.
Operations to clear heavy snowfall in certain parts of KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State got underway on the N3 Toll Route along Van Reenen Pass on Saturday morning, after it was closed entirely between Estcourt and Harrismith.
Heavy snowfall, icy conditions, and poor visibility prompted traffic authorities to warn motorists to avoid travel in KwaZulu-Natal, Free State, and surrounding regions as dangerous conditions persist.
KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma said that his department has deployed more graders to assist with the rescue operations.
“As of around 09:20, there is just no access for cars from Montrose towards Johannesburg. Ice boulders are everywhere. We advise motorists not to attempt to use the N3 to Durban,” said Duma on Sunday.
He added that most motorists are stuck around the Shell Garage towards Montrose while cars and trucks were all covered in snow.
“There are hundreds of trucks and some jackknifed which makes it difficult for graders to remove the snow as rescue teams have to remove one truck at the time, including cars,” said Duma
The following roads have been reopened on Sunday:
- N11 – Ladysmith to Newcastle
- N11 – Amajuba Pass
- R33 – Vryheid to Dundee – Open but water damping on the road at Cotswold
- R34 – Newcastle to Memel (closed higher up)
- R34 – Newcastle to Bloodriver/Vryheid
- R33 – Vryheid to Paulpietersburg
- R34 – Vryheid to Melmoth
- R69 – Vryheid to Pongola
- N2 – Richards Bay to Piet Retief
He added that teams have been using cutting-edge technology to monitor the road networks also using SANRAL camera control centres.
“Unfortunately, in some areas the cellphone network is not available. We remain concerned that although thousands of motorists have been freed, others are still trapped,” he added.
The MEC said they also intervened after getting distress posts about two buses containing pupils getting stuck.
“We have assisted 67 learners from Qwabi Primary School who were traveling from Durban to QwaQwa. They had been stuck. We wish to assure those who are stuck and many others and their loved ones, that the team has doubled their efforts to clear the snow.”
WATCH | ‘Highly treacherous’: Heavy snowfall leaves motorists stranded overnight in KZN, Free State
Duma said their main focus now is to enable the disaster management teams to urgently bring much-needed relief.
According to the KZN Department of Cooperative Governance, the N3 Toll Route remains closed to incoming traffic between Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in the Free State. All lanes are obstructed from the town of Van Reenen towards the Swinburne/Montrose junction.
Meanwhile, the Border Management Authority (BMA) took the decision to close Sani Pass, Boesmansnek and Monontsha ports of entry for operations on Saturday.
According to the BMA Commissioner, Dr Michael Masiapato, this precaution was taken to ensure the safety of travellers, tourists and officials, as the heavy snow posed a significant danger.
“Travellers are advised that Ficksburg port, Caledonspoort, Makhaleng as well as Maseru ports of entry can be used as alternatives to enter Lesotho,” added Masiapato.
[UPDATE]The Commissioner of the @TheBMA_SA , Dr Michael Masiapato has issued a notice to travellers that in light of the persistent snowfall, the conditions leading to some ports of entry have become unsafe to enter. Given the situation, the BMA and stakeholders operating at… pic.twitter.com/RLkjpnjEg7
— The Border Management Authority SA (@TheBMA_SA) September 21, 2024
Gift of the Givers Foundation founder, Dr Imtiaz Sooliman, said most of the routes have been opened.
“It’s just between Van Reenen and Montrose that the last part has to be cleared. Most other areas have been opened and the backlog has been cleared,” Sooliman said.
He added that roads to Howick to Underberg and Harrismith to Bergville are still closed.
Snow on the Penhoek Pass in the Eastern Cape on Friday. (Eastern Cape Transport Department / Supplied)
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Sooliman added that the Gift of the Givers team prepared and handed out hot meals, blankets, energy bars, fruit, energy drinks and water.
“[In] some areas where the snow proved too deep we had to throw items across the road to reach the people on [the] north-bound lane. We tried to cover as much ground as we possibly could on foot.”