‘If we aren’t rescued, we will die’ – Motorist’s call to SANRAL amid N3 disaster

Bongani Bingwa speaks with Vusi Mona, General Manager for Communications and Marketing at the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL).

Listen to the interview in the audio below.

Terrestrial snow caught nearly 2,000 motorists off guard trapping them on the N3 between Durban and Johannesburg.

Some spent the night in their freezing cars, while others abandoned them and walked to safety at pit stops.

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One woman died of hypothermia after being stuck in a taxi.

The weather service and the South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) issued warnings, but it's believed the public underestimated how horrific the conditions would be.

Mona says he woke up early on Saturday morning to a call from a panicked motorist begging to be rescued.

“He was telling me that if they do not get rescued here, they are going to die.”

- Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager for Communications and Marketing

“There was a disaster unfolding in front of our eyes.”

- Vusi Mona, SANRAL General Manager for Communications and Marketing

SANRAL worked with government and humanitarian groups to give as much support to trapped motorists as possible.

Mona says there is an urgent need to educate motorists on the meaning of weather warnings, so they understand the risks.

The roads are now opened, but SANRAL advises the public to avoid these roads and delay travel if possible.

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the interview.