Snow in KZN: Rescue missions still under way for motorists stuck on the N3 as graders battle with heavy snow

N3 Toll Concession spokesperson, Thania Dhoogra said there’s a 30km stretch that still needs to be cleared and they were facing challenges of removing abandoned and broken down vehicles off the road. Photo: Screenshot/Newzroom Afrika

Meanwhile, the National Disaster Management Centre spokesperson, Elias Sithole, said they have deployed more resources to assist motorists who have been in their cars.

In an interview with Newzroom Afrika, Sithole said they got an alert from the South African Weather Service (Saws) but were not anticipating that the snow will be of such magnitude.

“The difference this time around is the kind of snow we had and it has affected all roads but we are learning to how we can best prepare in future because in the past we would experience snow and we would easily clear it,’’ he said.

KZN MEC for Transport and Human Settlements, Siboniso Duma, said for efficiency, they have roped in help from South African Police Service (SAPS) as well as the South African National Defence Force (SANDF).

“We have also deployed more graders to assist with the rescue operations… There is just no access for cars from Montrose towards Johannesburg, ice boulders are everywhere,” he said.

Duma said even though they managed to save thousands of people, there was still a great concern about those who were still trapped.

“There are hundreds of trucks and some jackknifed which makes it difficult for graders to remove the snow as rescue teams have to remove one truck at the time including cars. The team is however working hard and and we see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Duma said.

On Saturday, one person was reported dead after a taxi they were travelling in was trapped in the heavy snow.

sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za

IOL News