The Eastern Cape Department of Transport has reopened most of the mountain passes that were closed after heavy snowfall, but authorities cautioned motorists that dangerous driving conditions persist across affected areas.
Reopened routes, but not back to normal
Department spokesperson Unathi Binqose said the reopening was a "welcome development" following closures that affected traffic flow on major routes, including the N9 and the N6. However, he stressed that conditions remain fragile and could change quickly as the severe winter weather system continues to affect parts of the country.
“Much welcome developments for us, after yesterday road closures which affected the flow of traffic on some of our major roads including the N9 and the N6,”
Binqose warned motorists not to assume normal conditions had returned. He said roads in high-lying areas remain wet and slippery and that low temperatures mean conditions can deteriorate again at short notice.
Visibility and specific trouble spots
Fog and drizzle are being reported on Penhoek Pass along the N6 between Komani and James Calata, causing poor visibility. The Department advised drivers to use headlights in those areas and to reduce speed and maintain safe following distances where fog, drizzle or surface ice are present.
Government spokesperson William Baloyi reinforced the need for vigilance, urging the public to rely on official updates from weather, traffic and emergency services when planning journeys.
- Reduce speed on mountain passes and high-lying roads.
- Increase following distance — stopping distances grow on wet or icy surfaces.
- Use headlights in fog or drizzle to increase visibility.
| Route / Pass | Recent status | Current hazards |
|---|---|---|
| N9 | Reopened | Wet, slippery surfaces; potential for renewed snowfall |
| N6 (Penhoek Pass) | Reopened | Fog, drizzle and poor visibility |
Roads can close again — clearance only after assessment
Authorities cautioned that routes which are currently open may be closed again if conditions deteriorate. The Department said previously closed roads will only be reopened once they have been assessed and cleared by officials, underlining that reopening is conditional, not permanent.
Local emergency services and traffic authorities have been monitoring high-lying areas and responding to incidents where motorists became stranded during the worst of the snowfall. The Department did not provide a full list of affected passes or the exact times that closures were lifted.
What motorists should do
Provincial guidance for drivers in the coming days includes practical safety measures aimed at reducing accidents and traffic disruption while temperatures remain low:
- Check official weather and traffic updates before departing.
- Avoid unnecessary travel through mountain passes during severe conditions.
- Carry warm clothing, a charged mobile phone and a basic emergency kit if travel is essential.
- Allow extra travel time and consider alternative lower-lying routes where possible.
As the winter weather system continues to sweep parts of South Africa with snowfall, rain and freezing temperatures, the Department urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to follow instructions from traffic, road maintenance and emergency services.
The reopening of the passes brings short-term relief for freight and commuter traffic that had been slowed by closures, but the Department's repeated warnings underline that the province is not yet clear of severe conditions.
Motorists are advised to keep tuned to official channels for further updates should road or weather conditions change.
