By Stranded motorists stuck in heavy snow in parts of the Eastern Free State are currently being rescued.
According the Spokesperson for the Department of Cooperative Governance; Traditional Affairs and Human Settlement; Ms Zimasa Mbewu, the rescue operation begun in the early hours of the Sunday morning; around Van Reenen and Swinburne, which roads are re-opened.
Mbewu explained that the Department has activated the Provincial Joint Operations Committee as well as the District Joints Committee in Thabo Mofutsanyana and Xhariep districts. She said the municipalities in the affected towns of the province have mobilized graders to clear the snow. Emergency medical services were also dispatched to assist.
“Other stakeholders such as farmers and private owners of Land Cruiser vehicles were hands on in assisting with the clearing of roads. The N5 had opened since yesterday and work to clear the N3 was also already underway. Traffic officers have been on the ground to steer traffic in some instances diverted motorists to alternative routes.
The stranded motorist have been assisted through multidisciplinary interventions and provided with warm meals and blankets. Health facilities such as Mofumahadi Ma8napo; Elizabeth Ross are continuing to ready themselves to receive patients when the need arises,” said Zimasa Mbewu.
The weather may be a jubilant moment for many to experience the snow, but for some it has devastating effects. It is reported that one passenger has lost their life due to hypothermia as they were stuck in a taxi overnight.
“The MEC for Cooperative Governance Mr. Saki Mokoena has conveyed his deepest condolences to the family of the passenger that died as a result of hypothermia while travelling from Johannesburg to Kwa-Zulu Natal. The passenger was amongst those stranded in a vehicle due to heavy snow on the N3 Highway. Motorists are still urged delay using the N3 highway until such time that rescue operations have been completed,” concluded Mbewu.
