Durban — Several roads in KwaZulu‑Natal were closed on Monday after snowfall affected parts of the province, with authorities urging motorists to postpone non‑essential journeys and members of the public to remain indoors.
Roads closed, traffic diverted
The provincial Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) and the Department of Transport and Human Settlements said the R617 near Kokstad had been closed and traffic diverted to the R56. Roads in Kokstad, Kingscot and Underberg were also affected, the department reported.
RTI confirmed that a truck became stuck on the R617 in Kingscot, prompting further caution to motorists. To prevent people becoming trapped while attempting to view the snow, the RTI said it had activated its Snowfall Response Plan.
“To ensure that motorists and snow chasers are not trapped in areas where there is a snowfall, the Road Traffic Inspectorate is already implementing the Snowfall Response Plan,”
The plan, the department said, includes clearing snow before it accumulates to dangerous levels. Officials said grader operators have been deployed to remove snow and maintain access to affected roads.
Official advice and infrastructure concerns
KwaZulu‑Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma urged the public to delay non‑essential travel and to remain indoors where possible. He warned that extreme weather could aggravate existing damage to the road network.
“Our engineers have informed us that when water and ice seep into existing cracks on our roads and freeze, these cracks turn into large potholes,” the department said in a statement reporting MEC Duma’s comments.
Authorities have stressed that prevention is preferable to rescue operations in remote or elevated areas. RTI told motorists to obey road closures and diversions and to avoid travelling to view the snowfall, a risk that could increase demand on emergency services.
What the response plan includes
- Activation of the Snowfall Response Plan by the Road Traffic Inspectorate.
- Deployment of grader operators to clear roads before snow reaches 30 cm, as part of prevention measures.
- Traffic diversions from affected routes (for example, R617 to R56).
The department emphasised that these measures are intended to keep main routes open and to limit the number of vehicles and people in high‑risk areas during the snowfall event.
Local impact and practical guidance
Motorists planning travel into the southern KZN highlands — including the Kokstad and Underberg districts — should expect delays and changes to normal routes. Road users are advised to:
- Postpone non‑essential travel to affected areas until authorities lift closures;
- Follow official diversion signage and instructions from RTI personnel;
- Keep updated via official provincial channels rather than travelling to view snow; and
- Ensure vehicles have adequate fuel and safety supplies if travel is unavoidable.
Coastal authorities and weather services had earlier warned of rough seas along the KwaZulu‑Natal coast and disruptive conditions inland, driven by a cold front and strong winds. While the current closures relate to snowfall in the mountainous southern parts of the province, the broader weather system may affect travel and sea conditions elsewhere along the coast.
Where to get updates
RTI and the provincial Department of Transport and Human Settlements are the primary sources for road‑status information in KZN. The public can expect further operational updates as grader crews work to clear roads and as weather conditions evolve.
| Item | Current status |
|---|---|
| R617 (near Kokstad) | Closed; traffic diverted to R56 |
| Other affected areas | Kokstad, Kingscot, Underberg |
| Response actions | Snowfall Response Plan activated; graders deployed |
Authorities reiterated that public safety is their priority and appealed to communities to heed warnings and avoid unnecessary journeys into affected mountain areas while snow and freezing conditions persist.
Further information should be sought from RTI and the provincial transport department as the situation develops.
