Emergency services are still struggling to reach motorists stuck on the N3 between Montrose and Johannesburg due to heavy trucks blocking the snow-covered roads.
KZN Acting Premier Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa updated the public on the situation during a media briefing on Sunday.
“As of around 09h00, there is just no access for cars from Montrose towards Johannesburg. Ice boulders are everywhere. In the video, there is slowly moving traffic from Harrismith towards Montrose. We advise motorists not to attempt to use the N3 to Durban. Around Shell Garage towards Montrose, that’s where people have been stuck for two nights,” she said.
Hundreds of vehicles, including some jackknifed trucks, are stuck in the snow, making it difficult for graders to clear the route. Rescue teams are removing vehicles one by one, complicating the process.
KaMadlopha-Mthethwa mentioned they are working with NGOs like the Red Cross and the Al Imdaad Foundation to provide stranded motorists with food, water, and hot meals. Provincial agencies, including SASSA and the Department of Social Development (DSD), are also offering immediate relief by profiling affected families.
She also noted that social workers are on the ground, providing psychosocial support, welfare, and child protection services. Eskom and municipal teams are working to restore power in areas hit by outages.
Among those rescued were two buses carrying high school students travelling from Durban to Qwaqwa in the Free State.
“We are using cutting-edge technology to monitor the road networks and SANRAL camera control centres. Unfortunately, cell phone networks are unavailable in some areas. We remain concerned that although thousands of motorists have been freed, others are still trapped,” said KaMadlopha-Mthethwa.
Here are some alternative routes that have been reopened:
– N11: Ladysmith to Newcastle – OPEN
– N11: Amajuba Pass – OPEN
– R33: Vryheid to Dundee – OPEN (water on road at Cotswold)
– R34: Newcastle to Memel – CLOSED HIGHER UP
– R34: Newcastle to Bloodriver/Vryheid – OPEN
– R33: Vryheid to Paulpietersburg – OPEN
– R34: Vryheid to Melmoth – OPEN
– R69: Vryheid to Pongola – OPEN
– N2: Richards Bay to Piet Retief – OPEN
Motorists are urged to avoid any unnecessary travel.
Pictured above: KZN Acting Premier Thembeni KaMadlopha-Mthethwa with Mec for Cogta Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi revealed that heavy trucks are making it difficult to access motorists that are stuck on the N3 in Montrose towards Johannesburg.
