Inkosi Mhlabunzima Maphumulo House: We are in receipt of a weather report from the South African Weather Services informing us of a cold front that will result in the dropping of temperature, heavy rainfall and possible snowfall.
While the SA Weather Services has not suggested the province will be blanketed in a wave of snow, we request motorists to monitor weather reports and exercise caution.
In particular, our highly efficient team from Road Traffic Inspectorate has been activated to monitor traffic closely.
Drawing from our past experience, we are fully aware of hazards and havoc associated with the snow.
Not long ago, we experienced an extreme heat index of 30 degrees Celsius, but we now bracing ourselves for a possible snowfall and heavy rainfall.
These are the realities of erratic weather patterns caused by climate change.
We wish to highlight the following planned interventions:
Transport
1. Road Safety and Traffic Inspectorate: The team will coordinate possible road closures and observation of major routes in consultation with N3 Toll Concession. The focus is on N3 between Harrismith, Tugela Toll, R617 between Kokstad and Underberg, N2 Ingeli and N3 Mooi-River, and others.
2. We wish to indicate that the team will also be responsible for escorting trucks and vehicles to ensure that there is no congestion on the road.
3. Drivers of Motor Graders: Transport Infrastructure Unit- Drivers of Motor Graders have been sharpened to respond with speed and a sense of urgency to remove any snow before it accumulates on the road. More than 10 Graders will be stationed on identified routes to ensure that our response is faster.
Human Settlements
1. Our roving team from Human Settlements has been activated to liaise with the national Department of Human Settlements’s Emergency Housing and Mitigation Unit should there be an urgent need to assist destitute families as a result of flooding or when houses are covered in snow.
2. Recently, we experienced floods and localized landslides that resulted in the death of communities. Where necessary, working with the Minister of Human Settlements, Thembi Simelane and her capable team, we will ensure that families are relocated to ensure their safety.
3. The deployment of Temporary Residential Units will be speeded up to accommodate affected families.
Ends
Issued by the MEC for Transport and Human Settlements