Severe weather conditions close major routes in South Africa

South Africa is facing adverse weather conditions caused by heavy snowfall and rain, leading to traffic disruptions in several provinces. Drivers are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution.

The KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape provinces have been most severely affected, with numerous major roads closed due to snowfall. However, snow was also reported in parts of the Western Cape, while wet snow and other unfavorable conditions were observed in Free State, Mpumalanga, and other regions.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation issued an urgent appeal to drivers to maintain maximum caution under the current conditions. In a statement published on Monday afternoon, the organization reported on the roads affected by bad weather.

Situation in KwaZulu-Natal

In KwaZulu-Natal, the N3 road is closed between Estcourt and Harrismith in Free State. Drivers are advised not to use the N3 for travel to KZN. Additionally, the road is closed in the Midmar/Howick area.

Additional hazards include the Van Reenen Pass, which is extremely dangerous due to black ice, and travel on it is not recommended. The R617 road is closed between Kokstad and Onderberg after a truck got stuck in King'scote; traffic has been diverted to R56. The R74 road between Harrismith and Bergville on the Oliver'shoek Pass is also closed, as is the R74 (Greytown/Colenso road) due to heavy snowfall in Santa Maria. Roads R103 and the toll section of Tugela are completely closed due to harsh weather. On the section from Lions River to Nottingham, traffic is very difficult, and the speed is around 20 km/h.

Situation in Eastern Cape

The following roads are completely closed in the Eastern Cape: N6 (Penchhoek Pass) between Komani (Queenstown) and Jamestown, N9 (Lootsberg Pass) between Graaff-Reinet and Middelburg, R58 (Barkly Pass) between Elliot and Barkly East, and the Boesmanshoek Pass between Sterkfontein and Molteno.

Situation in Free State

On the N3 section between Harrismith and the Van Reenen Pass, drivers should proceed with extreme caution. Emergency crews are spraying brine on all lanes to prevent black ice formation. Wet snow and rain are occurring between Warden and Mooi River, and a layer of snow is visible in Swinburne; drivers are urged to immediately reduce speed. The R74 road on the Oliver'shoek Pass, between Harrismith and Bergville, is considered high-risk. Although the route was previously passable, conditions are deteriorating rapidly towards the KZN border. Thick ice has affected routes around the Matatili border and regional roads in southern Free State, and mountain passes may be temporarily closed.

Situation in Mpumalanga

In most areas of Mpumalanga, traffic is proceeding normally. Nevertheless, the Long Tom Pass on R37 was closed after several vehicles got stuck on slippery ascents, and road services blocked access from both sides. Traffic at the N4/N12 interchange is open but extremely dangerous. Emergency services reported numerous accidents due to poor visibility and wet, icy road surfaces. On the Belfast, Dalstroom, and Russenekal (R540) sections, traffic is open but requires extreme caution. Light snow and heavy wet snow have affected the road shoulders, creating potentially icy patches. Volksrust and Ermelo report drizzle and localized icing, and strong crosswinds are affecting high-sided vehicles.

Situation in Western Cape

Traffic in the Western Cape is moderate, but the Swartberg Pass and the Mont Rochelle/Franschhoek roads are closed due to snow.

In other parts of South Africa, traffic is running smoothly in Gauteng, Limpopo, North West, and North Cape, although some areas are experiencing cold and damp conditions.

Authorities in KwaZulu-Natal have closed a major road because heavy snowfall, caused by an isolated low-pressure system, continues to disrupt traffic and affect communities in the southern districts of the province.

The Minister of Transport and Human Settlements for KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma, announced on Sunday that the R617 road, connecting Swartberg and Onderberg, remains closed. He warned drivers about the danger of traveling on this route due to the ongoing snowfall.

The Department reported that the isolated low-pressure system triggered heavy snowfalls. Drivers heading to or coming from Kokstad are advised to avoid R617 and use R56 as an alternative route.

This closure is part of the provincial snowfall response plan, which was activated amid persistent adverse weather conditions in several districts.

Monitoring of road conditions and precautionary measures

A department representative, Ndabezinhle Sibiya, specified that Road Traffic Inspection (RTI) teams were closely monitoring the condition of main highways and promptly took action to protect motorists. Sibiya stated that RTI accurately executed the snowfall response plan, resulting in the closure of some roads.

He advised drivers traveling to Kokstad to postpone their trips, as the road is closed. The Department also reported difficult conditions on other major routes. On the N2 road between Kokstad and Bistkraal, it became slippery due to light snowfall, and near Brooks-Neka towards the Eastern Cape border, snowfall continues. Further north, on the N3 between Mooi River and Midwey, wet asphalt persists due to constant drizzle.

Drivers traveling through affected areas are strongly recommended to reduce speed, maintain a safe distance, and postpone non-essential journeys.

Authorities also expressed concern over the situation in the Matathile and Mpendile areas, where snowfall has covered the settlements. Sibiya reported that they received a report from the RTI team in Impendle and are working with the Mpendile municipality, as the entire municipality is covered in snow and contains vulnerable communities.

Housing teams have been deployed to assist affected communities, while road maintenance crews are working to prevent snow accumulation on critical routes. Sibiya noted that their bulldozers are already operating to clear snow so that it does not accumulate more than 30 centimeters, in line with the minister's directives as part of the snowfall response plan in recent weeks.

The Department also issued a stern warning to so-called 'snow hunters', urging the public not to visit affected areas for recreational purposes. Sibiya emphasized that movement in areas affected by snowfall is prohibited and asked 'snow hunters' to stay home.

Heavy snowfall forced KwaZulu-Natal authorities to close several roads in parts of the province. This occurred after a truck became stuck on the R617 highway near Kokstad, prompting local authorities to activate emergency response plans and impose traffic restrictions.

The Minister of Transport and Human Settlements for KwaZulu-Natal, Siboniso Duma, reported that the Snowfall Response Program was launched in settlements such as Kokstad, Underberg, Matathile, and Clifton, located near Nottingham Road, on Monday.

The Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) confirmed the closure of the R617 highway and the diversion of transport to R56 to prevent drivers from entering dangerous conditions. Duma noted that authorities promptly took measures to restrict access to the affected routes.

He emphasized that the RTI is already implementing the Snowfall Response Program to prevent drivers and snow enthusiasts from ending up in areas with snowfall. Furthermore, Duma stated that the RTI registered the vehicle incident on one of the affected sections, clarifying that one truck was stuck on R617 in the King's Court area.

The department strongly advises drivers against unnecessary trips as weather conditions continue to deteriorate in different parts of the province. Duma urged the public to stay home, stating that prevention is better than cure.

Road maintenance crews and heavy machinery operators were deployed to maintain the passability of key roads and prevent significant snow accumulation. Duma reminded that the Snowfall Response Program involves clearing snow before it accumulates more than 30 centimeters, for which grader operators have been activated.

The Minister also linked the worsening weather conditions to climate change, warning that extreme events are putting increasing pressure on the province's transport infrastructure. He explained that when water and ice penetrate existing cracks in roads and freeze, these cracks turn into large potholes, which is a consequence of unpredictable weather patterns caused by climate change.

Duma added that the impact of extreme weather on transport infrastructure will be part of discussions at the provincial Transport Indeb, scheduled for October. KwaZulu-Natal authorities remain highly prepared as cold weather and snowfall continue to affect various areas of the province, and officials advise residents to refrain from traveling to snow-affected areas for recreational purposes.