Big Easter Return Expected on N6, N2 from Sunday

Komani / Chris Hani District – As the long Easter weekend draws to a close, traffic volumes are expected to surge across major routes in the Eastern Cape, with authorities preparing for a busy and high-risk return period from Sunday.

According to Eastern Cape Department of Transport spokesperson Unathi Binqose, law enforcement and road safety teams will be deployed from midnight on Sunday (05 April 2026) along key transport corridors linking the province with major economic hubs and neighbouring provinces.

Major routes under pressure

The focus will be on high-traffic routes including the N6, which runs through Komani and connects the Eastern Cape to inland provinces such as Gauteng, as well as the N2 and R61, which serve as critical links to the Western Cape. The eastern section of the N2 towards KwaZulu-Natal is also expected to experience heavy volumes.

These routes are particularly significant for the Chris Hani District, where towns like Komani often see a sharp increase in vehicle movement during peak holiday return periods.

Drunk driving arrests already exceed 130

Authorities have confirmed that drunk driving enforcement operations have been intensified since Friday night, continuing into the early hours of Sunday morning.

More than 130 motorists have already been arrested for driving under the influence since the launch of the Easter Arrive Alive campaign on 31 March 2026.

The majority of these arrests were recorded between Thursday and Friday night, with officials warning that the number is likely to rise as operations continue throughout Sunday.

Increased visibility and operations

Roadblocks, stop-and-search operations, and patrols will be conducted across the province, with some operations running simultaneously along major routes, while others will take place at varying times from Sunday morning into the early hours of Monday.

The aim is to improve visibility, enforce compliance with road traffic laws, and reduce accidents during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.