Snow leaves motorists stranded as three Eastern Cape mountain passes CLOSED
Several motorists have been left stranded after heavy snowfall forced the closure of three mountain passes in the Eastern Cape. The Barkly Pass on the R58…
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Several motorists have been left stranded after heavy snowfall forced the closure of three mountain passes in the Eastern Cape.
The Barkly Pass on the R58 between Khowa and Barkly East, Penhoek Pass on the N6 between Komani and Jamestown, and Boesmanshoek Pass between Sterkstroom and Molteno have all been closed as wintry conditions continue across the province.
Emergency personnel have been deployed to assist motorists trapped by the snow.
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Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose urged motorists to take the closures seriously and avoid attempting to travel through the affected routes.
“We urge road users, motorists in particular, to take these road closures very seriously, as they have been put in place for their safety.”
Binqose confirmed that several vehicles had become stuck in the snow, leaving occupants stranded.
“There are several vehicles that are stuck in the snow with people stranded in them, and we are doing everything we can to rescue them.”
Authorities are continuing to monitor other mountain passes across the Eastern Cape as snowfall affects several high-lying areas.
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The snowfall has also reached the Western Cape, where snow has fallen on Swartberg Pass near Oudtshoorn in the Little Karoo.
The pass has been closed, with traffic officials warning motorists to stay away because of dangerous icy conditions.
Despite the closure, some vehicles have reportedly managed to travel through the pass, with families making their way to the area to see the snowfall.
Officials have warned that the thick layer of ice makes the route particularly dangerous and that motorists should not ignore the closure.
The latest disruptions come as a widespread winter system continues to bring snow, freezing temperatures and hazardous driving conditions to parts of South Africa.
Motorists are urged to check road conditions before travelling, avoid non-essential journeys in affected areas and, most importantly, never attempt to bypass a road closure.