Heavy rainfall has wreaked havoc in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and Drakensberg, forcing the closure of Injisuthi camp until June 2026 and prompting detours for tourists.
Image: SUPPLIED
Heavy rainfall across the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands and Drakensberg region over the past week has left a trail of infrastructure destruction, forcing the closure of a major resort and necessitating emergency detours for tourists heading to the Champagne Valley.
Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, confirmed on Wednesday that Injisuthi camp will remain closed to the public until at least May 2026. This follows a catastrophic road failure where the approach to the main bridge was washed away, leaving logs and debris strewn across the concrete structure.
The damage at Injisuthi was severe enough to leave visitors trapped on-site. A contractor was deployed for emergency temporary repairs, allowing guests to safely depart one day after their scheduled checkout.
"While the bridge has been temporarily stabilised to allow staff to continue with essential duties, it is not yet safe for visitor access," Ezemvelo stated. All future bookings for the resort have been placed on hold, with arriving guests redirected to Didima Camp.
Further south, Giants Castle faced a 24-hour isolation period as three key access bridges Ncibidwane, Emanjokweni, and KwaMshini were flooded. Access has since been restored as water levels subsided. Meanwhile, Lotheni remains open, though officials warned that the road via Stepmore is currently difficult for smaller vehicles due to heavy mud.
While initial reports suggested damage to the R600, FEDHASA East Coast Chairperson Brett Tungay clarified that the primary collapse is situated on the R103. Despite the significant damage visible at the site, where a sinkhole has claimed a portion of the tarmac, the road has not been fully closed. A short detour has been carved out around the collapse to maintain the flow of traffic.
For those travelling from the coast, Tungay recommended an alternative, more stable route:
The recent weather-induced failures have sparked sharp criticism from the hospitality sector regarding the provincial government's handling of infrastructure.
"Very poor road maintenance across KZN is rapidly becoming a major issue," Tungay said. "The poor roads are not only affecting tourism but all other industries as well. The KZN Roads Department needs to get its act together, and quick."
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