A very strong cold front has hit parts of South Africa since the weekend, bringing with it heavy snowfall, powerful winds, and rain that caused serious damage in many communities. Many parts of the country have been affected, especially the Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, and Free State provinces.
From Saturday, thick snow and freezing weather conditions caused roads to become slippery and dangerous, leading to a tragic road crash along the busy N2 highway between Peddie and Makhanda in Eastern Cape. A minibus taxi reportedly crashed into a stationary truck during the early hours of the morning. Sadly, five passengers, including two small children, died on the spot. Twelve more people were injured in the accident, with some sustaining minor wounds while others needed urgent medical attention.
According to Unathi Binqose, the spokesperson for the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, poor visibility and icy conditions played a major role in the accident. “The weather made it very difficult for drivers to see clearly. We are urging all motorists to drive slowly and avoid unnecessary travel,” he said in an interview.
Further north, the situation also turned deadly near Mthatha. A school bus carrying students was swept away by strong floodwaters caused by heavy rainfall. While three students managed to survive by clinging to tree branches until help arrived, six others were confirmed dead in the area. Rescue teams later recovered another body in nearby Tsolo, bringing the total number of fatalities from that incident to seven. Several students are still missing as of Tuesday.
The South African Weather Service had issued warnings before the weekend, predicting that there would be a sharp drop in temperature along with heavy rain, wind, and snowfall in many eastern parts of the country. Temperatures in some areas dropped well below zero degrees Celsius, which is common in South Africa’s winter season from June to August. But this particular cold front has been described as one of the most intense in recent years.
Electricity supply has also been badly affected. Eskom, the national power provider, reported that they are getting a very high number of calls from customers who have no electricity. The cold weather and heavy snow have damaged power lines and transformers, especially in rural areas. Eskom has assured citizens that they are working round the clock to fix the problem and bring back power to the affected homes. “We are deploying more technicians and equipment to speed up restoration,” Eskom said in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Road closures were also reported, especially on sections of the N2 highway that connect the Eastern Cape to KwaZulu-Natal and the Free State. Transport departments in those provinces have placed roadblocks and redirected traffic as part of safety measures. Officials are asking people to avoid long-distance travel if not absolutely necessary.
Emergency response teams have been dispatched across different towns and rural settlements. According to disaster management officials, temporary shelters have been set up for families whose homes were destroyed by floodwaters or snow. In some locations, entire communities are cut off due to blocked roads, making rescue operations even harder.
Unathi Binqose said, “We are doing everything we can to help the affected communities. But we ask the public to cooperate and stay safe.”
The cold front is expected to continue until at least Wednesday, according to the latest forecast by the South African Weather Service. More snow, rain, and wind are predicted in the coming days. Authorities have advised residents in affected areas to remain indoors, stock up on essentials, and follow local news for safety updates.
This event has once again reminded many of how dangerous extreme weather conditions can be. South African citizens are being urged to take weather warnings seriously and not to underestimate the impact of nature’s force.
As the cold front continues to hit different regions, authorities have promised to keep the public updated on any major changes or developments. People are encouraged to use official platforms to get the latest information and report emergencies immediately.
