ULUNDI, 10 AUGUST 2026 , The KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA), Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has issued an urgent advisory to motorists and residents regarding hazardous driving conditions and road closures across the province following persistent heavy snowfall and rainfall.
According to operational reports from the provincial disaster management team, key routes are heavily affected.
Latest Road Status and Operational Updates:
R617 (Underberg to Swartberg / Kokstad via Kingscourt): COMPLETELY CLOSED. Continuous heavy snowfall has rendered this entire passage impassable due to severe road icing and near-zero visibility.
R56 (Kokstad towards Matatiele): OPEN BUT WET. The road is experiencing continuous rainfall and wet conditions; drivers are advised to proceed with extreme caution.
N2 (Kokstad towards Beestekraal): OPEN BUT SLIPPERY. Passable, but road surfaces are dangerously slippery due to rain and localized patches of snowfall.
N2 (Kokstad towards Eastern Cape / Brooksnek): OPEN BUT WET. Snowfall is actively continuing; while it has not yet accumulated on the road surface, conditions remain wet and treacherous.
Directives to Motorists and the Public:
1 Avoid Closed Passages: Motorists must strictly refrain from attempting to travel along the R617 between Underberg, Swartberg, and Kokstad. Please delay non-essential travel or utilize safe, verified alternative routes.
2 Exercise Extreme Caution: Drivers navigating the R56 and N2 corridors are urged to reduce speed, maintain safe following distances, keep headlights switched on, and remain vigilant against sudden ice patches.
3 Follow Official Directives: Obey all instructions given by law enforcement, emergency responders, and traffic officers deployed across high-risk corridors.
“We appeal to all road users to exercise maximum caution and fully cooperate with our disaster management and traffic personnel on the ground,” said MEC Thulasizwe Buthelezi. “While several primary routes remain open, conditions can deteriorate rapidly with ongoing snowfall. Closing dangerous sections like the R617 is necessary to prevent severe accidents and protect lives.”
Provincial disaster management team continue to monitor weather developments in real time to coordinate response actions.
ENDS
