Thirty-two tourists who were trapped by heavy snowfall at Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge in the Drakensberg were located and evacuated after disaster teams in the Thabo Mofutsanyana district battled deep snow, mud and slippery roads to reach them.
How the rescue unfolded
The district disaster management centre said teams were called after the visitors became stuck at the lodge on Tuesday, 11 August. Rescuers worked through worsening conditions and used heavy machinery, including a tractor-loader-backhoe (TLB), to remove large amounts of snow that had blocked access to the lodge.
Thabo Mofutsanyana District Disaster Management spokesman Sthembiso Mthombeni said the operation succeeded in clearing a route to the lodge on Wednesday night, 12 August, and all tourists were found in good condition before being released to return home.
"We were called to rescue a number of tourists who had been trapped at Wetsieshoek Mountain Lodge since Tuesday, 11 August... We are relieved that all the tourists were found in good condition and have since been safely released to return to their respective homes," said Mthombeni.
Access challenges and ongoing concerns
Rescue crews reported that some visitors who had climbed towards Sentinel Peak could not be reached safely because of heavy snow and extremely slippery, muddy roads. The district team said hazardous conditions limited their ability to search higher slopes during the operation.
Local schools in Tsheseng Village were affected by the snowfall. Learners were sent home on Monday, 10 August, and classes were suspended while conditions were monitored. By Thursday, 13 August, schools had resumed as weather and road conditions improved.
Practical information for visitors and residents
- Visitors planning trips to Witsieshoek or the Drakensberg should check weather forecasts and road conditions before travelling.
- Pack emergency supplies and ensure vehicles are equipped for winter mountain conditions when travelling to high-altitude areas.
- Contact local disaster management or lodge management if weather deteriorates and you require assistance.
Context and local impact
The Drakensberg can receive heavy snowfalls in winter months, creating access problems for mountain lodges and settlements like Tsheseng Village. The rescue highlights the logistical challenges that local disaster management teams face when reaching isolated sites under severe weather.
While the tourists were mostly from Gauteng (Joburg and Tshwane), the incident emphasises interprovincial travel risks during winter conditions and the importance of coordination between lodge operators and emergency services.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Witsieshoek Mountain Lodge (Tsheseng Village / Qwaqwa), Drakensberg, Free State |
| Number rescued | 32 tourists |
| Key agency | Thabo Mofutsanyana District Disaster Management |
| Dates | Stranded from 11 August; rescued 12 August; schools resumed 13 August |
Official response
The disaster management centre described the outcome as a relief and confirmed that the rescued visitors were in good condition. The agency also indicated that teams remain alert for reports of other people who may be in difficulty, but said safety concerns prevent crews from mounting risky searches when slopes and roads are treacherous.
Residents and visitors are advised to monitor local weather warnings and keep communications open with accommodation providers in mountain areas. Local authorities continue to assess roads and will only re-open routes when they are deemed safe for public use.
(Reporting from the Free State.)
