SOUTH Africans opened their hearts and homes to assist commuters who have been stuck in the snow on the N3 highway between the Free State and KwaZulu-Natal since Friday.
As temperatures plummeted causing at least one death, volunteers cooked and collected blankets and other goods to distribute to those stuck on the road, many who had run out of fuel and battery power as they tried to keep themselves warm.
And the SA Weather Service says icy conditions will persist with more snowfall and heavy rain overnight and freezing temperature would persist for two more days.
In Estcourt members of the town’s former Covid community group converted the town hall into a disaster centre.
“As soon as it was daylight we got food, drinks and blankets together and we formed teams of guys in four-by-fours and we sent them out onto the N3 and the 103,” said volunteer Shireen Suleman.
She said some of the back roads opened up and bus loads of people came in for assistance.
Lyn Chemaly from Hilton said several social media groups were buzzing with activity as community members coordinated relief efforts and supplies were distributed by off-road bikers and farmers who used their tractors to assist.
“Community members have taken people into their homes that they don't know from Adam. There's just been a real community drive around trying to help people stuck in the snow,” Chemaly said.
Umngeni mayor Chris Pappas told Sunday Tribune late last night that the tar roads from Nottingham Road to Hilton were clear. He said gravel roads were also clear but slippery and that the N3 was open in both directions.
“Relief efforts on the highway in the Midlands have ceased as vehicles are moving. Disaster teams will continue to assess areas affected by snow and rain and respond where necessary,” said Pappas.
Midlands EMS Rescue Medics and their Howick crews were dispatched to Merivale Mall to help a passenger who had collapsed in a taxi travelling from Johannesburg towards KZN.
“The taxi had stopped for refreshments when the incident occurred. Upon arrival, it was found that the individual had collapsed and was in a critical state of hypothermia, requiring urgent medical care,” they said in a statement. The patient died on the way to hospital.
Siphiwe Dlamini, head of communications in the Ministry of Defence and Military Veterans, said a team of military experts were dispatched to assess the situation “for immediate intervention”.
However, some of them also got stuck in snow and they couldn't conduct an aerial assessment due to poor visibility. Dlamini said they were working with the provincial government and other stakeholders, like police, in relation to that, but there has been no deployment as yet.
KwaZulu-Natal's police spokesman Colonel Robert Netshiunda said they had deployed members to provide assistance and warm food to commuters who have been stuck on the N3 between Estcourt and Mooi River.
“Among the stranded commuters are police officers, who despite being in the same situation as the rest, are providing security services to fellow commuters. The management of police in KwaZulu-Natal have mobilised business partners who have already started preparing food and warm clothing for those who are stuck in the freezing snow. Despite unfavourable flying conditions, police, working with other rescue and humanitarian entities, are braving the conditions to preserve life and deliver much needed basic services,” Netshiunda said.
Dr Imtiaz Sooliman from aid organisation Gift of the Givers, said they were concerned about people who required medical support and may need to be evacuated.
“Companies have called to say they can't access their truck drivers, their cellphones have died and they have no supplies for them in the truck. Somebody else called to say their brother is diabetic and insulin dependent and is there with his wife and three children. Their phones batteries are dead and they don't have supplies. People are worried,” said Sooliman.
He said it was extremely challenging just like it was a few years ago.
“The roads are impassable, helicopters can't fly, tow trucks can't move and the only possibility is graders.” He said Gift of the Givers and the with Road Traffic Inspectorate and members of the N3 toll concession were all onsite.
“Our vehicles are there with supplies, including energy biscuits, drinks and blankets to assist people as graders move into the area. In addition we have spoken to people at a few garages along the N3 that if people require assistance with hot drinks and snacks, whether it's truck drivers or motorists, we will pay for it,” said Sooliman.
KwaZulu-Natal’s acting premier, Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa, said as part of the provincial government's response, they had deployed officers from the Road Traffic Inspectorate (RTI) to assist motorists navigating treacherous roads.
Two men who were stuck on the road from Friday night due to the snow said they did not know what to do as they were stuck in the cold with no alternative route to at least be able to go back home.
Taxi passenger Mlindi Mnyandu said they were stuck on the N3 next to Harrismith for 16 hours and there was a heavily pregnant woman with them. “No one had food in the taxi ,we are going to Durban. However, one woman shared some snacks with all of us. We have not had any water and it is extremely cold,” he said.
The South African National Roads Agency and the N3 Toll Concession said they had closed the N3 national road at the Van Reenen’s Pass because of dangerous conditions, including black ice.
Vusi Mona, SANRAL’s communications manager, said the matter had been escalated to the National Disaster Management Centre (NDMC) and is being given the utmost priority, to ensure the safety of road users.
“A full road closure remains in place between Estcourt in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith in the Free State. Icy conditions, wet weather and poor visibility are also being reported along other sections of the route causing dangerous driving conditions from KwaZulu-Natal through the Free State, the southern parts of Mpumalanga and Gauteng. Traffic is being stopped at the Tugela Plaza in KwaZulu-Natal and Harrismith South Interchange in the Free State, “ explained Mona.
Several KZN government departments were also assisting people.
The KZN Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC, Rev Thulasizwe Buthelezi said, “Local municipalities, in conjunction with other state organs, have mobilised graders to clear snow in affected regions, prioritising major routes to facilitate emergency access.”