Three mountain crossings in the Eastern Cape have been closed as a result of heavy snow that fell overnight.
This occurs while the province continues to recover from torrential rains that swept through some highways and caused accidents, leaving at least 1 300 people displaced in the Buffalo City region.
Penhoek Pass on the N6 between Komani and Jamestown, Barklypass on the R58, and Wapadsburg Pass on the R61 are among the passes restricted to travel due to snow.
Unathi Binqose, the spokesperson for the transport department in the province, advised motorists to either delay their trip or use alternate routes.
“The heavy snowfalls that have forced the closure of these three mountain passes have added another dimension to already challenging driving conditions in the province,” said Binqose.
He said the department is monitoring other mountain crossings for snow and potential mudslides.
“The past couple of days have seen rainfalls that have left the soil saturated with fears of mudslides in some areas,” he said.
“We are calling on road users to be vigilant and respect the restrictions that are there at the moment.
“Motorists must drive with caution and plan accordingly for potential delays in all our mountain passes.”
President sends condolences
On Monday, President Cyril Ramaphosa conveyed condolences to families that lost loved ones when heavy rains battered parts of the Eastern Cape at the weekend.
The floods mostly affected Nelson Mandela Bay, Buffalo City, and Kariega.
Ramaphosa stated that all South Africans share the sadness of the loss of life, the destruction of public infrastructure, and the loss of private property and that his thoughts are also with the families of the missing.
“The loss of life, the destruction of public infrastructure, and the loss of personal property brought about by the forces of nature sadden all of us as South Africans,” said Ramaphosa.
The aftermath of these occurrences is best overcome when we work together in the way we are seeing in the Eastern Cape.”
