A tragic taxi accident on the N2 between Braakfontein and Cintsa on 10 June has claimed five lives as Eastern Cape faced intense snowfall and heavy rain. According to the Eastern Cape Department of Transport, unregistered taxi driver Unathi Binqose said the vehicle swerved to avoid a fallen tree on an icy road, overturned, and tragically left three women and two men dead. The driver and a female passenger were seriously injured and rushed to hospital, while SAPS has opened a culpable homicide case as weather and road conditions remain under scrutiny.
The N2 has been closed indefinitely, with motorists diverted via the Old Transkei Road while rescue teams work to clear debris and manage emergency response efforts. Several mountain passes—including Lootsberg (N9), Penhoek (N6), Wapadsberg (R61), and Cala (R410)—are also affected, with fallen trees and icy patches hampering rescue and clearing operations. Police advise travellers to avoid the area and await road safety updates.
The South African Weather Service has raised its alert to Orange-Level 9 across the Eastern Cape, warning of disruptive rain and snowfall. Heavy showers, flooding risks in OR Tambo District, and power and infrastructure disruptions are expected to continue until the weather system subsides. Residents are urged to stay alert, prepare for sudden weather changes, and heed local emergency warnings.
Emergency services, SANRAL, traffic authorities, and SAWS are coordinating efforts to clear roads, manage accident scenes, and restore safe travel. All road users are warned: unless travel is essential, stay off the roads until conditions improve and official guidance signals a reopening.
