KZN braces for cold front as residents warned over open fires

KwaZulu-Natal authorities have warned residents to exercise extreme caution when using open fires as a severe cold front is expected to bring freezing temperatures, strong winds and snowfall to parts of the province. The warning follows devastating fires at the Jika Joe informal settlement in Pietermaritzburg and Umlazi’s H Section. More than 500 shacks were destroyed at Jika Joe, displacing more than 600 people.

A man and a child remain missing, while one person reportedly died in the Umlazi fire. KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Rev. Thulasizwe Buthelezi said disaster management teams had been activated and were assisting affected families.

The South African Weather Service has forecast temperatures below 10°C in some areas, with snowfall expected over western parts of the province from Monday into Tuesday. Strong winds, with gusts exceeding 80km/h, are also expected on Monday, while disruptive snowfall could affect major routes and mountain passes, including parts of the N3 between Van Reenen and Howick. Residents using fires to keep warm are urged not to leave them unattended and to take precautions to prevent further fires. Motorists have also been urged to heed weather warnings, avoid unnecessary travel and exercise extreme caution in areas affected by severe weather.