The surprise burst of rain that marked the winter solstice saw motorists around Gauteng skidding into each other with at least 10 accidents reported around Johannesburg on Monday.
”Motorists should increase their following distance and reduce speed,” said Johannesburg Metro police spokesperson Inspector Wayne Minnaar.
Accidents had been reported in Allandale and Dale road in Midrand, apparently involving a Metro police patrol car; on the N3 on Van Buuren road, in Christiaan de Wet drive in Roodepoort, on James and Sakkie road, Midrand, on Wolmarans and Harrison in central Johannesburg, on Old Potchefstroom road and Modjadi in the south and on the R24 at Tarlton.
A tanker had also burst into flames on the N1 near the Buccleuch interchange, but the flames had since been doused.
”Drivers are not being cautious enough — it takes longer to stop on a wet road,” said Minnaar.
Meanwhile, the South African Weather Service said that Monday’s rain was caused by a ”cut off low” where the lower part of an upper air trough had detached itself.
It is ”very normal” and causes instability in the atmosphere and showers, which should be gone by Tuesday, said a spokesperson.
The system is often associated with snow in the mountains, although according the spokesperson, snow in Johannesburg would be unlikely. – Sapa