Authorities start clearing more than 1,800 vehicles trapped by heavy snowfalls on N3

The South African Weather Service has issued a level 6 warning for disruptive snowfall for the extreme southwestern parts of KwaZulu-Natal today (Sunday). (Photo: Zola Hashatsi ka Motsiri / Facebook)

By Takudzwa Pongweni

22 Sep 2024

The N3 remained closed at Van Reenen’s Pass on Sunday morning as hazardous conditions persisted. One person has been confirmed dead from exposure. Rescue operations continue and alternative roads have been opened.

A multidisciplinary rescue and recovery team was working non-stop on Sunday to clear the area between Van Reenen’s Pass and Swinburne (Montrose) of stranded trucks and light motor vehicles after heavy snowfalls.

The operations manager of the N3 Toll Concession, Thania Dhoogra, said the team faced significant challenges because road users were attempting to bypass road closure points and were ignoring safety instructions.

“We know it has been a long, bitterly cold and tiring weekend, and we understand that you just want to be mobile again, but please work with the disaster management teams, not against them.

“When clear instructions are ignored or opposed, it puts an additional strain on resources and brings rescue efforts to a halt, negatively impacting on everyone,” said Dhoogra.

“Your cooperation, patience and compliance are essential to bring this mammoth operation to conclusion and to safely restore mobility on the N3 Toll Route. Until this can be achieved, and the many stranded vehicles, as well as the extensive backlog of traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State, can be cleared, clean-up and securing of the road cannot be completed and hence, normal traffic flow cannot be restored.

KZN snow Snow covers a truck amid severe weather in KwaZulu-Natal. (Photo: Zola Hashatsi ka Motsiri / Facebook)

KZN snow weather A blanket of snow covers vehicles at a service station along the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal. (Photo: Gift of the Givers / Facebook)

“Mobility will only be fully restored once all stranded vehicles and those in the backlog have been removed from the area and once authorities confirm that it is safe to do so.

“Please do not rush to make your way to the section of the route between KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. You will be caught up in the extensive backlog, creating further congestion and delays in the area.”

Dhoogra said that by late Sunday afternoon, road incident management teams had begun to clear trucks and light motor vehicles caught in the gridlock between Van Reenen’s Pass and Swinburne.

“Extremely slow and restricted traffic movement is being facilitated via Van Reenen’s Pass (in both directions between Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in the Free State) to clear the current backlog of traffic, many of whom have been stranded in the area since Friday night,” she said.

kzn snow premier Acting KZN Premier Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa (centre) and KZN Cogta MEC Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi (right) at a media briefing after the snowstorm that disrupted major routes in the interior parts of the province. (Image: KZNCOGTA / Facebook)

The KZN MEC for cooperative governance and traditional affairs, Thulasizwe Buthelezi, said, “As of last night, there were a total of 1,823 vehicles that were at some point stuck on the N3 between Van Reenen’s Pass … through to Montrose, up to the Mooi River Plaza.

“All the cars have been evacuated, but there is still a problem of the trucks on the road that still need to be cleared. Many drivers abandoned the trucks, and … we urge people to stay away from the N3 because while the road is now open, the clearing-up process needs to happen. The driving conditions are still very dangerous because of the black ice and the rainy conditions.”

Buthelezi said that since Sunday morning the SANDF had been assisting in rescue operations.

The areas most affected include Ladysmith, Bergville, Estcourt, Kokstad and uMgungundlovu District.

Road update

Most roads which had been closed because of the snowfall had been cleared and reopened for traffic on Sunday morning.

“The Road Traffic Inspectorate has worked beyond the call of duty to remove the snow on the roads, and therefore the situation is under control,” said Buthelezi.

Cars stranded by severe weather in KwaZulu-Natal. (Photo: Zola Hashatsi ka Motsiri / Facebook)

All the motorists who had been trapped in Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape had been rescued, said the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).

“Emergency provisions and medical support are being distributed in all affected provinces, and additional air support will be provided as soon as weather conditions permit. District disaster management centres are continuously providing updates on relief operations,” said GCIS.

The Border Management Authority said all borders had been reopened, with the exception of Sani Pass, which remained closed because of treacherous road conditions.

“Travellers seeking to enter Lesotho are advised to use Ficksburg Port, Caledonspoort, Makhaleng, Boesmansnek, Monontsha and Maseru as alternative ports of entry”.

Photo: Zola Hashatsi ka Motsiri / Facebook)

On other routes late on Sunday:

The N5 from Bethlehem to Harrismith was open, though dangerous driving conditions persisted 30km from Harrismith due to melting snow. Travel on this route was strongly discouraged.

The R57 from Kestell to the R714 junction was open, but with dangerous conditions; the R714 from Bethlehem to Warden was also open, but melting snow was causing hazardous driving conditions. Travel was strongly discouraged.

The N11 between Ladysmith and Volksrust was open; however, misty conditions on the Majuba Pass made driving difficult.

All passes in the Eastern Cape had been opened, but motorists were warned to be cautious as roads were still slippery.

KZN damage being assessed

Damage assessment was in progress across KwaZulu-Natal, although access to some of the most affected areas was challenging.

The provincial government said it had been proactive in issuing early warnings to communities, ensuring the necessary precautions were taken to minimise the impact of the heavy snowfall.

It said: “Disaster management teams and early-warning units at the farm level have been mobilised and are actively monitoring conditions in affected areas. In regions where snow is forecast, farmers have been advised to secure their livestock in safe areas to prevent fatalities.” DM

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Road update

KZN damage being assessed