The Midlands Emergency Services (Howick) and rescue medical teams, helped a person who had collapsed due to severe cold overnight.
The person, was among those stuck on the N3, since Friday night, was commuting by taxi, from Johannesburg to Durban.
The person, was in a critical state of hypothermia, and died upon arrival at the hospital.
Concerned relatives took to social media, such as Justin Moonsamy, who asked about his niece and nephew, stuck on the N3, close to Montrose.
George Grung, said he was stuck at a Caltex Garage, abandoned about 6 months ago.
Marichen Du Plessis, was concerned about his son and daughter-in law, stuck on the R74, with a newborn baby.
The Uthukela District Municipality, said, on Saturday, centers were organized for people stuck on the R74, since Friday afternoon, due to heavy snowfall.
People were sent to the Alfred Duma Local Municipality: Indoor Sport Centre & Ladysmith Town Hall, the Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality: `Escourt Town Hall, the Okhahlamba Local Municipality: Okhahlamba Sport Complex.
The following centers will be open for 24 hours.
In a statement, the Municipality also acknowledged the Al-Imdaad Foundation, Red Cross and Gift of the Givers who helped with the evacuation and hot meals.
“From yesterday (20 September 2024), the department of transport started to assist affected people on R74 by clearing the road using 2 graders and 2 TLBs. On Saturday, (21 September 2024), the department of transport allocated 8 graders to clear the affected roads.”
The Department of Transport has allocated three graders in Alfred Duma Local Municipality to assist in clearing the N3 in Vaanreenen pass from Tugela Toll to Harrismith and N11 from Ladysmith to Newcastle.
Three more graders are clearing the way, in Inkosi Langalibalele.
The Red cross is also on site to assist people that are stuck on the N3 Van Reenen Pass.
“Inkosi Langalibalele Local Municipality in collaboration with Tire & Pro, Gift of the Givers, Food zone, Nedbank, Pick’n Pay and Nestle have opened up a soup kitchen at Estcourt Town Hall, to assist people that are stuck on N3 around Estcourt, while the Al-Imdaad Foundation assisted people who are stuck on the N3, with baby blankets, thermal blankets, hygiene packs, sandwiches, fruits, bottled water and hot meals.
More organizations came out to help people stranded on main roads, including UCSI, MSF, Howick CPF, Love Howick, Treatery at Yard41, Howick Sports Club, uMngeni Municipality, KZN Spitbraai Caterers, Howick meat center, the Umtshezi Fire Protection Association, SANRAL, the police (SAPS), KZN COGTA.
Status of main roads
– N11 – Ladysmith to Newcastle OPEN
– N11 AMAJUBA PASS OPEN
– R33 – Vryheid to Dundee OPEN but water damping on the road at Cotswold
– R34 – Newcastle to Memel CLOSED HIGHER UP
– R34 – Newcastle to Bloodriver/Vryheid OPEN
– R33 – Vryheid to Paulpietersburg OPEN
– R34 – Vryheid to Melmoth OPEN
– R69 – Vryheid to Pongola OPEN
– N2 – Richardsbay to Piet Retief OPEN
Pucture: SANRAL