By Karabo Marifi
The KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) provincial government has swiftly mobilised emergency services and departments to address the adverse weather conditions impacting the province. Following days of heavy snowfall and icy conditions that disrupted travel and stranded motorists, Acting Premier Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa confirmed on Sunday that significant progress has been made in reopening key routes while prioritising the safety of road users.
“This decision is aimed at ensuring the safety of motorists and facilitating the swift restoration of normal travel conditions in these areas,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said. She stressed that the Provincial Executive Council (EXCO) has taken immediate steps to address the heavy snowfall, which has left many roads in the province impassable.
With several routes affected by the severe weather, the provincial government worked in coordination with various departments and stakeholders to deploy emergency teams. These efforts have ensured that stranded motorists receive assistance, and the affected areas are cleared of debris and snow to enable safe travel.
Immediate Response to Adverse Weather Conditions
The response to the heavy snowfall came after multiple routes were closed due to dangerous driving conditions. Madlopha-Mthethwa explained that officers from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) were immediately activated to assist motorists stranded on icy roads, while emergency services were deployed to areas most severely impacted by the weather.
“The Road Traffic Inspectorate and Provincial Emergency Services have been deployed to assist motorists stranded on roads impacted by the snowfall. These teams are working tirelessly to ensure safe passage and provide assistance where necessary,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said.
In addition to traffic officers, the Municipal Parks Department has been placed on standby to clear tree debris from the affected roads. Collaborating with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) such as the Red Cross and the Al Imdaad Foundation, the province has ensured that stranded motorists receive essentials like food, water, and hot meals.
Support for Stranded Communities and Motorists
The impact of the adverse weather conditions has been widespread, affecting not only motorists but also various communities in the province. In response, several provincial agencies have been actively involved in providing relief and support to those affected.
Provincial agencies, including the South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) and the Department of Social Development, have been profiling affected families and offering immediate relief. Social workers have been deployed to provide psycho-social support, social welfare services, and child protection services to individuals and families in need.
Furthermore, Eskom and municipal electrical departments have been working around the clock to restore power in areas where outages have occurred due to the storm. The coordinated efforts have ensured that communities are not left without access to essential services during this challenging period.
Madlopha-Mthethwa also confirmed that the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) are on standby with helicopters to assist in delivering hot meals and evacuating individuals in severely impacted areas.
“Line function departments such as Health, Education, Agriculture, EDTEA [Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs], Transport, and Human Settlements have activated their contingency plans to ensure that the needs of affected communities are met swiftly and efficiently,” the Acting Premier added.
Caution Urged Amid Challenging Conditions
While progress has been made in clearing affected routes, the provincial government has urged citizens to exercise extreme caution given the unpredictable weather conditions. Madlopha-Mthethwa called on residents to follow safety guidelines and avoid unnecessary travel during this period, particularly on roads that remain affected by snow and ice.
“The provincial government remains committed to mitigating the impact of the storm and providing continuous support to affected communities. Further updates will be provided as the situation evolves,” she assured.
Motorists have been strongly advised to avoid travel on roads where conditions remain hazardous. The R34 Newcastle to Memel road, in particular, remains closed due to severe snow buildup, while several other routes that were impacted by snow have since been reopened.
Roads Reopened After Heavy Snowfall
Following the deployment of additional graders and emergency response teams, many key routes in KwaZulu-Natal that were previously closed due to the snow have been reopened. These include the N11 Ladysmith to Newcastle, N11 Amajuba Pass, R33 Vryheid to Dundee, R34 Newcastle to Bloodriver/Vryheid, R33 Vryheid to Paulpietersburg, R34 Vryheid to Melmoth, and R69 Vryheid to Pongola.
The provincial government extended its appreciation to all stakeholders, including private sector partners and non-governmental organisations, for their role in the critical rescue and recovery operations. The swift response from these organisations has been instrumental in ensuring the safety of citizens and assisting those affected by the adverse weather conditions.
Condolences for Lives Lost in the Storm
Unfortunately, despite the extensive efforts to mitigate the impact of the severe weather, the storm has claimed lives. Madlopha-Mthethwa expressed her deepest condolences to the family of the victims who tragically lost their lives due to hypothermia during the recent snowstorm.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved family during this incredibly difficult time. The provincial government stands ready to offer support to the affected family, and we continue to work diligently to ensure the safety of all citizens amid these extreme weather conditions,” she said.
The loss of life serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by severe weather, and the provincial government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that such tragedies are avoided in the future through better preparedness and timely interventions.
Ongoing Relief and Rehabilitation Efforts
While the immediate focus has been on reopening roads and assisting stranded motorists, the provincial government has also initiated longer-term rehabilitation efforts to restore normalcy in affected communities. These efforts will continue in the coming days and weeks as provincial departments work to repair infrastructure damaged by the snow and improve road safety.
The Department of Transport has confirmed that more teams will be deployed to assess the damage to roads and infrastructure caused by the heavy snowfall. This will include both short-term repairs to ensure road safety and longer-term projects aimed at strengthening the province’s ability to withstand future weather-related disruptions.
In addition to road rehabilitation, provincial departments are working closely with local municipalities to ensure that communities receive the necessary support. The Department of Health is actively monitoring the health and well-being of those affected, particularly in vulnerable communities, while the Department of Social Development continues to provide assistance to families who have been impacted by the storm.
Collaboration with NGOs and Private Sector Partners
The provincial government has expressed gratitude to the many non-governmental organisations and private sector entities that have played a key role in providing relief to stranded motorists and affected communities. Organisations like the Red Cross and the Al Imdaad Foundation have been critical in delivering food, water, and other essentials to those in need.
These organisations have also been working closely with provincial agencies to ensure that relief efforts are well-coordinated and reach the most affected areas. In many cases, private sector partners have offered additional resources, including equipment and personnel, to assist with snow clearance and road safety operations.
Madlopha-Mthethwa noted that this level of collaboration is essential in times of crisis and has helped the provincial government respond more effectively to the challenges posed by the severe weather conditions.
Ensuring Preparedness for Future Weather Events
As South Africa continues to experience more frequent extreme weather events due to climate change, provincial governments must prioritise preparedness to minimise the impact on citizens. The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has acknowledged the need for improved contingency planning and greater investment in infrastructure that can withstand adverse weather conditions.
Madlopha-Mthethwa emphasised the importance of building resilience in communities and strengthening the province’s capacity to respond to future weather-related disruptions. This includes enhancing early warning systems, improving road maintenance, and ensuring that emergency services are adequately resourced to handle crises like the recent snowstorm.
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