Radio presenter Penny Ntuli is currently recovering in the care of her mother in Durban after catching a cold after being stuck in the snow for two days. Picture: Instagram/@pennyntuli
Jozi FM presenter Penny Ntuli has lashed out at the response by authorities after thousands of motorists were stuck on the snow covered roads around Van Reenen’s pass on the N3 highway at the weekend.
The former Gagasi FM personality was among thousands of motorists who got stuck as the heavy snow filled the N3 in KwaZulu-Natal over the weekend, putting motorists in a situation many were not prepared for. The N3 is managed by the SA National Roads Agency (Sanral), with parts of it operated by the N3 Toll Concession.
Ntuli had been traveling to Durban bound Johannesburg to attend a funeral on Friday when she and her “Uzalo” actor friend, Buyani Masikane, got stuck on the road between Montrose and Vereeniging on the N3 toll route.
Prior to the snow falling and motorists being stuck authorities in KwaZulu-Natal had put emergency workers on high alert as the South African Weather Services weather systems have predicted a ‘snow storm’ to hit uThukela and Okhahlamba this weekend.
The former Gagasi FM DJ shared on Facebook updates, raising awareness around the circumstances they were faced with and also her concerns with emergency services response rate.
“U’Arrive Alive is busy posting what’s going on on the N3. How about you stop posting & help people,” wrote Ntuli.
Voicing her frustration, she also questioned where the helicopters were to pick up people who are stuck on the roads with children and the elderly.
Ntuli went on to question why citizens pay for toll gates yet they receive no assistance.
“There are cars here with kids, there’s abantu abadala (old people) travelling in cars with no heaters, they’ve been freezing for the past 16 HOURS, where are the resources?
“Why do we pay for toll gates if you won’t issue out help on the same roads that citizens pay for, use that small change to hire out choppers to clear your roads?“
At least two people died due to hyperthemia, while KZN authorities said on Monday that the N3 had since been cleared and traffic was flowing once again.
Meanwhile, Ntuli is currently recovering in the care of her mother in Durban after catching a cold after being stuck in the snow for two days.
KZN acting Premier Thembeni Madlopha-Mthethwa said all resources and teams have been dispatched to assist motorists who are stranded on roads.
“These teams are working tirelessly to ensure safe passage and provide assistance where necessary. The Municipal Parks Department is on stand-by to remove tree debris from affected roads and areas,” Madlopha-Mthethwa said.
IOL