South Africa faces extreme weather: Major routes closed due to snow and ice

Heavy snow, sleet, rain and icy conditions are disrupting travel across several provinces, with a number of major routes closed. Motorists are urged to exercise extreme caution. South Africa has been hit by turbulent weather conditions, with significant snowfall and rainfall causing disruptions in various provinces.

KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape appear to have been hit the hardest, with numerous major routes closed due to snowfall. However, snow has also been reported in parts of the Western Cape, while sleet and other adverse conditions have been reported in the Free State, Mpumalanga and other provinces. The Road Traffic Management Corporation has issued an urgent plea to motorists to exercise extreme caution in these conditions.

The organisation said in a statement released on Monday afternoon that the following roads were affected by the inclement weather.* In KwaZulu-Natal, the N3 is closed between Estcourt and Harrismith in the Free State. Motorists are advised against travelling to KZN via the N3. The road is also closed at Midmar/Howick.

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The N3 between Harrismith and Van Reenen Pass should be approached with extreme caution. Emergency teams are spraying brine across all lanes to prevent black ice from forming. Sleet and rain are falling between Warden and Mooi River, while a visible layer of snow has covered Swinburne.

Drivers are urged to reduce their speed immediately. The R74 at Oliviershoek Pass, between Harrismith and Bergville, is considered high-risk. Although the route was passable earlier, conditions are deteriorating rapidly towards the KZN border.

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