Hlabisa to release report on provinces affected by adverse weather

Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Velenkosini Hlabisa has told the SABC that he will release a full report on the provinces affected by inclement weather, including snowfalls, later this evening.

These include KwaZulu-Natal, the Free State, Gauteng and the Eastern Cape.

Earlier government sent assessment teams to areas affected to see how they can be helped. Due to heavy snowfall, ice and rain, several roads in KwaZulu-Natal are closed or experiencing slow traffic.

Hlabisa says he is to receive reports from the Weather Service and the intergovernmental committee on disaster management this evening before deciding whether a state of disaster will be declared amid heavy snowfall and inclement weather particularly in KwaZulu-Natal.

He confirmed that the provincial disaster management centre is coordinating efforts to assist motorists trapped by snowfalls and icy weather.

The Transport Department earlier said efforts are being made to deploy the South African National Defence Force to rescue commuters trapped in their vehicles along on the N3.

Minister Hlabisa says weather conditions did not allow for SANDF helicopters to be deployed to assist.

Meanwhile, travellers using the N3 at Van Reenens Pass have been advised to postpone their travel.

Authorities say the adverse weather conditions along the N3 are causing extremely dangerous driving conditions.

The Minister has also appealed to people not to travel until the weather has cleared.

The N3 remains closed at Van Reenens because of the hazardous conditions.

Traffic has started to flow in some parts of KwaZulu-Natal as disaster management teams and law enforcement agencies continue to clear the N3.

KwaZulu-Natal residents warned of severe weather conditions