Transkei roads?

I have two days to get from Hogsback to Joburg and going around the East side of Lesotho is a lot more appealing than the Free State. I've been warned against riding through the Transkei area however; animals on the road and general lawlessness being the main reasons.

Is Hogsback to Himeville / Maloti area doable in a day? I'm thinking R410 from Queenstown to Elliot, then R56 to through Maclear and Mt Fletcher to the R617, which then takes me to Himeville. Thoughts?