The government confirmed that all roads affected by the snowstorm, including the N3 Toll Route, are now accessible. This includes routes in Gauteng, Free State, Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and the Eastern Cape, according to South African government news agency.
Though traffic is currently running smoothly but motorists are advised to travel only during daylight hours.
“Daytime travel is always the safer choice. We remind road users to plan ahead and be prepared for any eventuality before you set out on your journey. Pay attention to road and weather conditions, and stay informed. Conditions on a road can change rapidly, as we have seen over the past few days,” advised N3TC chief operating officer Thania Dhoogra, as quoted by Times Live.
The snowstorm brought blizzard conditions, black ice, and low visibility, leading disaster management teams to intervene on Saturday. Humanitarian organizations provided emergency assistance to those affected. The severe weather had left many drivers stranded in their vehicles for hours.
The N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) announced the reopening of the route. “Following this weekend’s severe snowfalls, which caused major traffic disruptions and had road users stranded for almost two days between Tugela Plaza and Harrismith, N3TC is pleased to inform road users that mobility is fully restored on the N3 toll route. The extensive backlog of traffic between KwaZulu-Natal and Free State has been cleared,” said N3TC, as quoted by Times Live.
“Government thanks all citizens, emergency services, government entities, humanitarian organisations, and stakeholders for their support during this time,” said the Government Communication and Information System (GCIS).
The GCIS also encouraged citizens to stay updated by listening to local radio stations and following government social media pages.
“Thank you for your cooperation, South Africa! Let us all continue to prioritise safety on the roads,” said the department.
A 39-year-old woman died on Saturday while trapped in the storm at Van Reenen’s pass.
