N2 highway closed ‘to save lives' amid snowfall in KZN, Eastern Cape
KwaZulu-Natal authorities have closed parts of the N2 highway amid heavy snowfall.
The closure extends into the Eastern Cape.
A number of other roads in both provinces have been affected.
The N2 highway in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal has been closed due to snowfall amid icy conditions in the two provinces.
KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC Siboniso Duma confirmed the closures of part of the N2 highway between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg due to snowfall. Part of the R603 is also closed.
'I wish to advise motorists and the people of KwaZulu-Natal that our highly efficient team from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) has closed the N2 due to snowfall around Kokstad and Port Shepstone. To save lives, we have decided to close completely the road between Kokstad and Pietermaritzburg as well as the R603,' he said.
READ | Tuesday's weather: Disruptive snow, heavy rain, cold, damaging winds in some regions
The RTI team is working with traffic police from Kokstad and Ray Nkonyeni Local Municipalities to redirect motorists and clear the snow, he added.
Duma urged motorists and snow chasers to avoid the area.
According to Eastern Cape transport department spokesperson Unathi Binqose, the N2 is also closed between KwaBhaca (Mount Frere) and Kokstad.
This is the latest of 'a number of roads that are covered in thick snow'.
Binqose said the N9 at Lootsberg towards Graaff-Reinet was also affected and that traffic there was moving slowly under the supervision of traffic officers.
The R61 at Wapadsberg towards Nxuba also has slow-moving traffic.
The R58 at Barkley Pass has seen continuous heavy snow. Conditions are slippery, and the road is only open to small cars under the supervision of traffic officers. Heavy vehicles are not allowed to go through.
READ | KZN on high alert as severe weather warnings, snow and hail forecast
In addition, the N6 at Penhoek Pass towards Jamestown has slow-moving traffic.
There are multiple weather warnings in place for the two provinces.
In the Eastern Cape, there is a Level 6 warning in place for disruptive snowfall over the Joe Gqabi district and Enoch Mgijima (Molteno) and Matatiele Local Municipalities.
A Level 2 warning is in place in the Chris Hani district, as well as the Dr Beyers Naude (Graaff-Reinet), Raymond Mhlaba, Amahlathi and Umzimvubu Local Municipalities.
WHAT IS AN IMPACT-BASED WEATHER WARNING?
How often do you come across news reports suggesting that the South African Weather Service (SAWS) has issued an Impact-Based Weather Warning of a certain level and a particular colour-coding? What does it mean?
🧵 pic.twitter.com/pbogTnKxkl
— SA Weather Service (@SAWeatherServic) June 5, 2025
There is a Level 6 warning for disruptive rain that could lead to flooding in the Amathole, OR Tambo and Buffalo City District Municipalities, a Level 5 warning for disruptive rain in the Alfred Nzo, Makana, Ndlambe, Kouga, and Koukamma municipalities, and a Level 2 warning for disruptive rain over the Joe Gqabi, Chris Hani, Blue Crane Route, Dr Beyers Naude (Graaff-Reinet), Sundays River Valley and Nelson Mandela Bay Metro Municipalities.
In KwaZulu-Natal, there is a warning for damaging winds and disruptive rainfall in the south of the province.
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