WC, EC roads still closed

CAPE TOWN - The N1 north of Beaufort West remains closed to traffic after heavy snowfall in the area.

The national road between the town and Victoria West was briefly opened on Saturday evening, but was blocked off again.

The route between Gauteng and Cape Town via Middelburg, Graaff-Reinet and Aberdeen is also still closed to traffic.

The Road Traffic Management Corporation (RTMC)'s Ashref Ismail has urged motorists heading in and out of the Western and Eastern Cape to postpone their trips.

He said officials have formed a joint operations centre and the army could possibly be used to help with rescue operations.

Ismail said people should avoid the area.

Meanwhile, sections of the N6 and N9 were also closed to traffic.

Western Cape Traffic Chief Kenny Africa said, “We are glad that motorists have been patient.”

In the Eden District Municipality in the Southern Cape, over 100 residents from informal settlements have received assistance after they had to be evacuated due to flooding.

On Friday, the area was hit with heavy snow and rain

Residents are being housed in community halls.
Disaster Risk Management’s Gerard Otto said officials distributed food and blankets.

- EWN