Preparations underway on N3 highway amid snow forecast - KZN Transport Dept
The KZN Transport Department said an inspection at the top of Van Reenen’s Pass would take place on Sunday afternoon.
JOHANNESBURG - Preparations are underway on the N3 highway in the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), as snow has been forecast for Monday and Tuesday.
Last week, hundreds of motorists were stranded and left to sleep in their vehicles when Van Reenen’s pass was closed off for hours due to dangerous black ice which had formed on the highway.
At least two people died due to hypothermia.
READ: Stranded in the snow: A personal account of disarray and despair on the N3
Together with various roleplayers, the KZN Transport Department said they were gearing up for the snowfall.
Spokesperson for KZN Transport MEC Siboniso Duma, Ndabezinhle Sibiya said an inspection at the top of Van Reenen’s Pass would take place on Sunday afternoon.
“We must hasten to point out that we regard the light snowfall as extremely dangerous and fatal. We state this because it greases up the roads, which leads to road accidents. Because the South African drivers are not trained to drive in the snow, we urge motorists to reschedule or postpone their journeys in anticipation of any eventuality.”