KwaZulu-Natal disaster management officials and the Border Management Authority closed the Sani Pass road link following heavy snowfall in the Drakensberg region [1, 2].
The closure disrupts a primary transportation artery linking South Africa and Lesotho. Because the pass serves as a critical gateway for trade and travel between the two nations, the shutdown halts movement across the high escarpment during a period of extreme weather.
Officials shut the route on Feb. 7, 2024, after hazardous conditions made the road unsafe for travel [1, 3]. The snowfall affected multiple areas of the region, leading to the closure of three ports of entry [4].
"We are monitoring the situation closely and have closed the pass as a precaution," a KwaZulu-Natal Disaster Management official said [2].
The South African Weather Service noted that the intensity of the storm created dangerous environments across the mountains. "The heavy snowfall has created hazardous conditions on the Drakensberg, forcing us to shut down key routes including Sani Pass," a spokesperson said [5].
Local authorities continue to monitor weather patterns to determine when the road can safely reopen. The closure remains in effect as crews assess the impact of the snow on the steep terrain of the pass [1, 2].
“We are monitoring the situation closely and have closed the pass as a precaution.”
The closure of Sani Pass highlights the vulnerability of high-altitude border infrastructure to seasonal extreme weather. By shutting down three ports of entry [4], authorities are prioritizing public safety over regional transit, which may cause short-term logistical delays for goods and travelers moving between South Africa and Lesotho.
