HOWICK – An intense and "bitterly cold" winter system has claimed at least two lives and left hundreds of motorists stranded as heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain swept across eight provinces on Monday, August 10, 2026. The South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued high-level warnings for disruptive snow and damaging winds, describing the system as one of the most significant of the year.
The deadly impact of the weather was felt most sharply in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, where two people were killed in a horrific single-vehicle crash on the R617 near Howick. The accident occurred just past Mphophomeni on Monday morning as hazardous conditions made the road almost impossible to navigate.
A Tragic End to the Long Weekend
KwaZulu-Natal Midlands Emergency Services spokesperson Ronald Robertson confirmed the fatalities, stating that his crews were met with a devastating scene. "Howick crews found a single vehicle involved in the crash, with two occupants having been ejected from the car. Unfortunately, both patients had sustained severe injuries and showed no signs of life," Robertson said.
The victims were declared deceased at the scene. The crash took place as thousands of holidaymakers were attempting to return home at the end of the Women’s Day long weekend. Authorities have since closed the R617, redirecting traffic to the R56, as the road became a graveyard of stuck vehicles and thick sleet.
Snowfall Response Plan Activated
The severity of the weather has forced the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport to activate its official Snowfall Response Plan. Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma has urged the public to take the warnings seriously and stay off the roads wherever possible.
"We are requesting motorists to delay their trips and members of the public to remain indoors, as prevention is better than cure," Duma said on Monday afternoon. The MEC explained that the province has deployed heavy-duty graders to remove snow from key routes before it accumulates to more than 30 centimetres.
Duma also issued a warning about the long-term impact on the province’s infrastructure. "When water and ice seep into existing cracks on our roads and freeze, these cracks turn into large potholes," he explained, noting that the freezing temperatures would likely worsen existing road damage across the region.
Nationwide Disruptions
While KwaZulu-Natal has been hit hard, the Eastern Cape and the Free State are also grappling with extreme conditions. The Eastern Cape Transport Department reported heavy snowfall between Aliwal North, Jamestown, and Komani (formerly Queenstown).
Several key mountain passes have been shut down to prevent further tragedies. The Penhoek Pass on the N6 between Kimber Bridge and Penhoek Pass, as well as the Barkly Pass on the R58 between Khowa (formerly Elliot) and Ekhephini (formerly Barkly East), remain closed. Emergency teams have been working through the sub-zero temperatures to assist motorists who became stranded when the snow fell faster than they could escape.
In the Free State, the N3 Toll Concession (N3TC) reported light snow and sleet between Mooi River and Warden. N3TC chief operating officer Thania Dhoogra confirmed that route operations teams have begun applying brine—a salt-water solution—across all lanes from the bottom of Van Reenen Pass towards Harrismith. This measure is intended to prevent the formation of "black ice," a transparent and highly dangerous layer of ice that can cause vehicles to spin out of control.
SAWS Issues High-Level Warnings
The South African Weather Service has maintained Level 5 and Level 6 warnings for disruptive snow across the high-lying areas of the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Forecasters expect the "very cold" conditions to persist over the central, southern, and eastern parts of the country through Wednesday.
Even Gauteng has not been spared, with reports of possible light snowfall in parts of Johannesburg and Pretoria on Monday morning. The "Level 5 snow warning" is a rare occurrence for many rural regions, highlighting the intensity of this particular cold front.
Advice for Motorists
With heavy northbound traffic towards Gauteng expected to peak as the long weekend draws to a close, authorities are bracing for significant delays. Thania Dhoogra of the N3TC warned that the combination of increased traffic volumes, adverse weather, and ongoing road construction could create a "perfect storm" of delays.
"Drivers are reminded to follow the instructions of traffic officials and adhere to traffic signs," Dhoogra said. She urged those who must travel to allow for additional time, reduce their speed, and significantly increase their following distances.
For now, the message from the government remains clear: unless it is an absolute emergency, South Africans should stay indoors and wait for the "bitter" winter system to pass. As the search for stranded motorists continues in the mountain passes, the focus remains on preventing further loss of life on the country’s icy roads.
