Hlabisa urges caution as heavy snow, extreme cold hit parts of country

By Akani Nkuna

Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA) Minister Velenkosini Hlabisa has urged communities in affected parts of the country to exercise extreme caution as heavy snowfall and extreme cold conditions persist.

Hlabisa warned residents to take necessary precautions and remain alert to the risks posed by the severe winter weather.

“The safety of our communities must remain our foremost concern during this period of severe weather. We urge residents in affected areas to take the warnings seriously, avoid unnecessary travel and assist vulnerable members of their communities,” he said in a statement on Monday.

CoGTA spokesperson Pearl Maseko-Binqose said the weather conditions were associated with a cut-off low and a ridging high-pressure system.

Although snowfall is expected to ease overnight on Monday, the impacts of the weather are expected to persist into Tuesday and possibly Wednesday, she said.

Disruptive snowfall has been reported in the Eastern Cape, including