The Eastern Cape has been particularly hard hit, with fatalities reported and communities left stranded. The severe weather has also forced the closure of major highways, including the N2, causing travel chaos across the country.
Tragedy struck in the Eastern Cape as six bodies were recovered in Decoligny village in Mthatha and one near Bedlana River in Tsolo following severe floods. The fatalities come amid intense cold and flooding conditions that have severely affected several communities in the province.
The Eastern Cape government has placed disaster response teams on high alert as multiple communities are severely affected.
Flooding left several homes in Mthatha, Butterworth and Mqanduli submerged in water after heavy rains, while a school bus was also submerged and pupils swept away.
In a statement on Tuesday, Premier Oscar Mabuyane’s office said: “The Eastern Cape Provincial Government deeply regrets to announce that seven people have tragically lost their lives due to recent flooding emanating from inclement weather conditions in the province.”
Six bodies were found along Decoligny village in Mthatha, while another body was recovered at Tsolo near Bedlana River.
“These losses occurred amid intense cold and flooding conditions that have severely affected several communities in the province, however, the fatalities have for now been reported from various areas at the OR Tambo District Municipality.
“Provincial government regrets the tragic loss of life during this period and wishes to send condolences to the families of the bereaved,” said Mabuyane’s office.
On Tuesday morning, a group of school pupils traveling to Jumba Senior Secondary School were swept away when their school bus became submerged under water while crossing a bridge near Mthatha.
The Eastern Cape government said the search for the school children was still ongoing.
The scholar transport incident was confirmed by the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco), which said the 22-seater bus belonged to one of its members. At least three pupils were rescued, Santaco said.
In a statement, Santaco said: Eyewitnesses on the scene reported seeing at least three learners clinging to trees and calling for help.
“According to preliminary reports, the driver had contacted the vehicle owner earlier [on Tuesday] morning to request assistance, having noticed that the vehicle was stuck. Unfortunately, by the time help arrived, the water had engulfed the bridge,” Santaco added.
Mabuyane urged residents and motorists to be vigilant. “This is a devastating reminder of nature’s force. We urge everyone to exercise extra caution in areas prone to flooding. Our disaster response teams are on high alert and committed to ensuring the community’s safety,” he said.
An Eastern Cape MEC has urged residents to cancel their trips as severe weather grips parts of the province. Around 300 000 properties in 13 towns experienced power outages. Several areas in Butterworth, Mthatha and Mqanduli are flooded.
Hundreds of thousands of properties in 13 Eastern Cape towns have no power amid heavy snowfall, disruptive winds, and rain in the province on Tuesday.
In addition, Eastern Cape Cogta MEC Zolile Williams urged residents to cancel their trips if necessary and advised motorists to take extra precautions in snow-prone areas.
“Our disaster management teams are on alert, but we are urging people to cancel their trips if necessary and prioritise their safety,” Williams’ spokesperson, Pheello Oliphant, told News24 on Tuesday morning.
Several areas in Butterworth, Mthatha and Mqanduli are flooded, and motorists in low-lying areas are stranded after their vehicles became submerged in water.
Mnquma Local Municipality spokesperson Loyiso Mpalantshane said four vehicles were submerged on the route between Butterworth and Mission Village.
“Fortunately, there were no fatalities. Several areas like Skiet and Eugene informal settlements near Butterworth had their homes flooded and had to be evacuated. Schooling has also been affected in some areas of Butterworth because of a lack of access due to floods,” Mpalantshane added.
Electricity supply was cut off to about 300 000 customers in Mthatha, Qumbu, Tsolo, Elliotdale, Matatiele, KwaBhaca, Bizana, EmaXesibeni, Elliot, Komani, Dutywa, Butterworth and Cofimvaba.
“Eskom teams are preparing to make the areas safe and start restoring electricity supply. We appeal to customers for patience during this strenuous period,” the power utility said.
In the Gogozayo village in Mqanduli, the roof of resident Nosipho Mzaidume’s home blew off. “My goods and many other things inside the house are wet and destroyed. I am just praying that it does not get worse than this. One of the teachers had her car submerged while going to school. Luckily, she did not get hurt,” Mzaidume said.
In Tyekelebende Village in Dutywa, community leader Zamekile Zodala said: “We have had a power outage since the early hours of Tuesday. Many residents have made calls to Eskom, but our concern is when are they going to restore the power when several other areas are affected.”
A powerful cold front has brought snow, freezing temperatures, and dangerous conditions to several parts of the country.
Disaster management authorities have warned the weather may turn deadly if communities are not adequately prepared.
In the Eastern Cape, heavy snowfall and deadly collisions forced the closure of the N10 between Cookhouse and Cradock and the N2 outside East London.
The N2 highway has also been closed in the southern parts of in KwaZulu-Natal due to severe snowfall.
From frozen mountain passes in the Eastern Cape to power surges in Gauteng, the winter storm has exposed the vulnerability of infrastructure and some communities across the country.
In Johannesburg, temperatures have plunged to below zero.
City Power said households cranking up heaters and geysers has pushed the grid to its limit.
In the Eastern Cape, the weather office has upgraded the alert to level 9, warning of widespread floods, snowfall and icy temperatures. These extreme conditions are expected to persist until Thursday.
Officials are urging communities to stay indoors where possible, to avoid open flames, and stay up to date on weather alerts as the country battles an intense cold snap.
Communities in some parts of South Africa woke up to snow-covered cars and rooftops, as a cold front makes its way across the country. In other areas, residents are bracing for severe thunderstorms and gusty winds.
The N3 Toll Route has urged motorists to check conditions before they embark on any long travels.
"These weather conditions may impact road safety, and could result in traffic congestion, delays, and temporary road closures should driving conditions become treacherous," warned N3TC chief operating officer, Thania Dhoogra.
"We recommend motorists keep sufficient emergency provisions in their vehicles including water, food, medication, warm clothes and blankets, cellphones, chargers, backup power banks, and basic first aid equipment," she added.
The KZN Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) has urged residents to be extra-careful on the roads as severe weather is predicted across large parts of the province.
The storm system, which hit on Tuesday morning, 10 June, has brought heavy snow, damaging winds, and disruptive rain, badly affecting the Harry Gwala, uThukela, and Ugu districts.
Due to heavy snowfall, all roads leading to Kokstad and the N2 near Ingeli have been closed. Motorists have been strongly advised to avoid the area at all costs.
According to Cogta, violent winds, some reaching up to 110km/h, have uprooted trees and caused widespread power cuts. In addition, fallen trees have affected parts of the N3, prompting disaster response and municipal teams to begin clearing efforts and restore electricity.
Further weather warnings have been issued by the South African Weather Service. Spokesman Lehlohonolo Thobela has sounded the alarm for the Eastern Cape and surrounding coastal areas.
"There has been an updated weather alert of an Orange Level 9 warning for disruptive rain expected to impact the eastern half of the Eastern Cape into coastal areas.
"Disruptive rain is expected to result in flooding, a widespread flooding of roads and settlements, a danger to life due to fast flowing streams or deep waters, and widespread transport routes and travel services are expected to be severely affected.
“Widespread prolonged disruptions to essential services like water, electricity, communities, and schools," said Thobela.
Road conditions across KZN:
While several districts remain largely unaffected by the severe weather, others have reported significant disruptions:
- eThekwini and Ilembe Districts: All roads open. Experiencing heavy wind in coastal areas.
- uMgungundlovu and Umkhanyakude: All roads open; heavy wind and general windy conditions reported.
- Zululand and King Cetshwayo: No issues reported; patrol teams monitoring routes.
- N2 Ugu District: Strong winds and rain, with fallen trees being cleared. No major issues toward Port Edward or Harding.
- Harry Gwala District: Multiple road closures due to snow, including N2 from Ingeli to Kokstad Triangle and Kokstad Bridge project toward Brooksnek.
- Umzimkhulu and Ixopo: Rain and strong winds. Authorities have closed the N2 at Stafford Post due to motorists attempting to pass through heavy snow.
- Amajuba, Uthukela and Umzinyathi: Roads mostly clear, but facing high, icy winds. Snow on the Drakensberg is not currently affecting travel routes.
Cogta continues to monitor the situation and is working with local municipalities and emergency services to respond in time to weather-related incidents. Residents are advised to stay indoors where possible, avoid unnecessary travel, and report any weather emergencies to local authorities.
The N2 highway in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal has been closed due to snowfall amid icy conditions in the two provinces.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed the closures of part of the N2 highway between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg due to snowfall. Part of the R603 is also closed.
“I wish to advise motorists and the people of KwaZulu-Natal that our highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) has closed the N2 due to snowfall around Kokstad and Port Shepstone. To save lives, we have decided to close completely the road between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg as well as the R603,” he said.
The RTI team is working with traffic police from Kokstad and Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipalities to redirect motorists and clear the snow, he added. Duma urged motorists and snow chasers to avoid the area.
According to Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose, the N2 is also closed between KwaBhaca (Mount Frere) and Kokstad. This is the latest of “a number of roads that are covered in thick snow”.
Binqose said the N9 at Lootsberg towards Graaff-Reinet was also affected and that traffic there was moving slowly under the supervision of traffic officers.
The R61 at Wapadsberg towards Nxuba also has slow-moving traffic. The R58 at Barkley Pass has seen continuous heavy snow. Conditions are slippery, and the road is only open to small cars under the supervision of traffic officers. Heavy vehicles are not allowed to go through.
In addition, the N6 at Penhoek Pass towards Jamestown has slow-moving traffic.
There are multiple weather warnings in place for the two provinces.
In the Eastern Cape, there is a Level 6 warning in place for disruptive snowfall over the Joe Gqabi district and Enoch Mgijima (Molteno) and Matatiele Local Municipalities.
A Level 2 warning is in place in the Chris Hani district, as well as the Dr Beyers Naude (Graaff-Reinet), Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlathi and Umzimvubu Local Municipalities.
There is a Level 6 warning for disruptive rain that could lead to flooding in the Amathole, OR Tambo and Buffalo City District Municipalities, a Level 5 warning for disruptive rain in the Alfred Nzo, Makana, Ndlambe, Kouga, and Koukamma municipalities, and a Level 2 warning for disruptive rain over the Joe Gqabi, Chris Hani, Blue Crane Route, Dr Beyers Naude (Graaff-Reinet), Sundays River Valley and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipalities.
In KwaZulu-Natal, there is a warning for damaging winds and disruptive rainfall in the south of the province.
The country is bracing for further extreme conditions, with officials urging communities to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to stay safe during this intense cold snap.
Follow Us on Twitter
