Heavy snow in parts of the Eastern Cape forced authorities to close several mountain passes and deploy emergency teams as winter conditions deepened across the province. By Tuesday morning the routes that had been blocked were reopened, but transport officials warned that conditions remain hazardous with wintry weather likely to persist.
Passes affected and reopening
On Monday, snow accumulation at altitude led to the temporary closure of five key passes. Road crews worked overnight and into the next day to clear snow and treat surfaces, enabling the reopening of routes by the following morning. Transport officials urged motorists to heed signage and the instructions of traffic officers while driving in the affected areas.
| Pass | Road | Route | Status (Tuesday morning) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barkly Pass | R58 | Barkly East — Khowa | Reopened |
| Penhoek Pass | N6 | Komani — Jamestown | Reopened (earlier) |
| Boesmanshoek Pass | — | Sterkstroom — Molteno | Reopened |
| Qashas Nek Pass | — | Matatiele — Lesotho | Reopened |
| Lootsberg Pass | N9 | Graaff‑Reinet — Middelburg | Reopened |
What authorities said
Unathi Binqose, a spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Transport Department, provided route guidance and cautioned drivers about lingering poor conditions. Motorists travelling between Graaff‑Reinet and Middelburg were advised to follow an alternative through the N9/N6 via the R61 to Nxuba before rejoining the N10.
“Drivers must exercise extreme caution and avoid unnecessary risks,”
Binqose also noted that while graders had cleared some roads — allowing the earlier reopening of Penhoek and Lootsberg — Barkly and Boesmanshoek remained closed until crews could ensure safe passage. Later updates confirmed all previously closed passes were open, but the spokesperson stressed that fog, drizzle and icy stretches continue to affect visibility and traction.
Practical advice for motorists
The transport department reiterated standard winter driving precautions and thanked the travelling public for cooperating with closures and teams working on the ground. They urged drivers to:
- Slow down and increase the distance to the vehicle ahead;
- Switch on headlights in low visibility and use fog lights where fitted;
- Avoid unnecessary journeys through high‑lying passes while icy conditions persist;
- Follow diversion signage and the directions of traffic or emergency personnel.
Incidents and emergency response
Despite the scale of the snowfall and the closures, officials reported no major crashes overnight. Emergency teams and road maintenance crews have remained deployed across affected areas to monitor conditions and assist motorists who require help. Binqose thanked drivers for their patience and cooperation during the clear‑up operation.
Context and local impact
Mountain passes are vital arteries for rural communities and freight movement in the Eastern Cape. Closures can severely disrupt supply chains and leave motorists stranded for hours in remote terrain. While this event did not produce reported major casualties, the region has experienced similar winter episodes where roads became deceptively dangerous because of black ice and sudden fog.
Travel services and logistics operators should continue to monitor updates from the Eastern Cape Transport Department and local traffic centres. Road users planning travel through high country are advised to delay non‑essential trips until conditions stabilise and to ensure vehicles are prepared for cold weather — including adequate fuel, warm clothing and a charged phone.
With forecasts indicating further wintry weather in some high‑lying areas, authorities have said they will keep crews on standby and issue alerts should conditions deteriorate again.
