The 130 people trapped in vehicles by heavy snowfalls in the northern parts of the Eastern Cape province were all rescued on Friday night, a disaster management co-ordinator said.
Captain John Fobian confirmed on Saturday morning that all the roads were cleared and the people were rescued around 9pm.
Meanwhile, a police air-wing helicopter, which had flown from Umtata to Elliot earlier on Friday, was still grounded on Saturday morning in about half a metre of snow. However, an airforce helicopter had been dispatched and was scheduled to arrive around
9am.
Speaking to Sapa from Port Elizabeth, the SA Air Force’s Colonel Trevor Schroeder said the helicopter was taking food to Elliot.
He said roofs were collapsing in town as a result of the heavy snow and looting by members of the community for food had been reported. – Sapa