Government issues urgent safety alert as Gauteng freezes
Gauteng is forecast to be cloudy and cold, with scattered showers and thundershowers. Light snowfall.
The Gauteng provincial government has issued a critical safety alert as the region faces icy rain, plummeting temperatures, and treacherous road conditions. Authorities warn against illegal power connections, unsafe heating methods, and reckless travel during the cold snap.
Gauteng is expected to experience cloudy and cold weather, with scattered showers and thundershowers. Light snowfall is anticipated in the southern areas late in the day. Temperatures are forecast to plummet to around 3-4°C in some parts of the province.
The province's spokesperson, Elijah Mhlanga, emphasized the heightened risks posed by the combination of rain, cold, and wet roads for motorists, pedestrians, and vulnerable communities. Mhlanga cautioned residents against seeking alternative ways to stay warm through illegal electricity connections, theft, or vandalism of electrical infrastructure.
Mhlanga urged residents to exercise extreme caution when using heaters, stoves, candles, paraffin appliances, braziers, or open fires. He stressed that heating and cooking devices should never be left unattended, especially during sleep, and should be kept away from flammable materials and adequately ventilated.
Motorists are advised to reduce their speed in wet conditions, maintain safe following distances, use headlights in poor visibility, and avoid crossing flooded roads or bridges. Pedestrians are also warned to avoid walking through fast-flowing water and flooded areas.
Mhlanga assured that the Gauteng government's disaster management and emergency response teams are closely monitoring weather conditions and working with municipalities and stakeholders to respond to incidents. The government strongly urges residents to remain vigilant, stay informed through official weather and emergency alerts, check on vulnerable community members, and report dangerous conditions to authorities.
Mhlanga emphasized that safety must be the top priority during these adverse weather conditions, warning that any effort to stay warm should never risk lives.
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