KZN motorists urged to exercise extreme caution due to snowfall – SABC News – Breaking news, special reports, world, business, sport coverage of all South African current events. Africa's news leader.

KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Cooperative Governance (CoGTA), Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi, has asked motorists to exercise extreme caution when traveling on the R56 and N2 near Kokstad, along the southern Drakensberg, due to continuous rain and snowfall.

The R617 has been closed, and vehicles traveling between Underberg and Kokstad are being diverted to the R56.

However, CoGTA says the N2 on the KwaZulu-Natal side of Kokstad is dangerously slippery because of continuous rainfall and patches of snow on the road.

CoGTA Spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi says several key roads have been affected and some have been closed.

“According to the operational report from our disaster management teams several key roads have been affected, and some have been closed. While others are being closely monitored by the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) teams. The R617 between Underberg and Kokstad remains closed, while the R56 is being monitored and the N2 very closely by RTI teams. Unfortunately, as a province we have recorded two fatalities Monday morning after a vehicle allegedly lost control due to wet weather in Howick area around Pietermaritzburg,” says Mngadi.

WATCH | KwaZulu-Natal Cogta spokesperson Siboniso Mngadi says the province is bracing for severe weather, with a Level 6 warning issued for heavy rain, snow, strong winds and extreme cold. Disaster management teams are on high alert. pic.twitter.com/YedIWgZcH0

Meanwhile, residents of Underberg say they are thrilled to experience today’s rare snowfall.

While the nearby mountains in Lesotho often get blanketed with snow, they say Underberg usually experiences only the icy temperatures that come with it.

However, residents woke to snow on their doorstep on Monday morning.

One local, Mohale Matlakala says the snowfall came as a surprise, after days of rumours that snow was on the way.

“I woke up at 4:15 and I needed to go to the toilet. I heard a sound coming from outside. So, I ended up having a smoke as well and getting towards 4:30, it changed from drizzle, to like sleet. I put my hand out and I could feel it touching me and immediately, I just knew that’s it’s going to be a cold day.”

Families from Durban brave the icy temperatures and have travelled to the R617 near Bulwer, in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, to experience the snowfall.

Credits: Taliesha Naidoo#UpdateAtNoon #sabcnews pic.twitter.com/3ls52EQEUM