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The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) has issued a traffic advisory notifying motorists of a temporary closure on the N2 between KwaBhaca and EmaXesibeni due to scheduled blasting on 18 November 2025 at 12:00 PM. The closure will last no longer than 30 minutes.
What Happened
The blasting will take place approximately 13.5 km from KwaBhaca when travelling towards EmaXesibeni. The operation is part of ongoing road works aimed at improving road safety and infrastructure efficiency in the region.
Alternative Routes
Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips in advance and consider the following detours:
- From Kokstad to Mthatha:
Take the R56 from Kokstad toward Matatiele, continue via Nqanarhu (Tlokoeng), then join the R396 to Tsolo and rejoin the N2. - Alternative Route via R61:
Travel from Flagstaff and Lusikisiki to Port St Johns and rejoin the N2 at Mthatha.
According to SANRAL, the shortest alternative route is about 69 km longer and may add roughly 50 minutes to travel time between Mthatha and Kokstad.
Official Response
“Motorists are asked to plan their trips accordingly, consider alternative routes, and use caution when making use of the road,” said Mbulelo Peterson, SANRAL Eastern Cape Provincial Head. He also apologised for any inconvenience caused by the planned road closure.
Community Impact
The temporary closure is expected to cause minimal disruption, and SANRAL’s early notice aims to ensure that road users can make informed travel decisions. Communities along the N2 corridor have been urged to cooperate for safety during the blasting period.
