Gauteng Premier, Panyaza Lesufi, has reiterated that several roads in the Johannesburg CBD have been closed to the public following Wednesday’s explosion. One person has died and 48 have been injured after an explosion ripped through Bree Street.
Authorities are yet to establish the cause of the explosion. Speaking during a media briefing, Lesufi outlines some of the road closures.
“The explosion affected Lilian Ngoyi, or Bree Street, and Loveday, Rahima Moosa and Plein Street. I am emphasising this point because then you will understand why we have closed or demarcated those roads so we can manage the situation.”
MAP | Road closures around the CBD:
The road closures will remain in place while specialists assess the extent of the damage and for the rehabilitation of the roadway #JHBTraffic #JoburgRoadSafety #SaferJoburg ^GZ
https://t.co/ZRQ2ottLp4 pic.twitter.com/HTzjWx2Anj
— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) July 20, 2023
Alternative routes amid road closures:
Please avoid Lilian Ngoyi (Bree) Street in JHB CBD between Eloff and Harrison streets. The road is closed following yesterday’s explosion and road collapse.
Alternative routes:
– From eastbound travel along Lilian Ngoyi, turn right into Simmonds and then left into either… pic.twitter.com/Xb4Wz0yN4v— City of Joburg (@CityofJoburgZA) July 20, 2023
Impact on Taxi industry
Meanwhile, National Taxi Alliance spokesperson, Theo Malele, says the explosion will have a negative impact on the industry.
“The ground was blown up and cars were seen flying and landing on other vehicles. Our taxis were also damaged – about 20 of our taxis were damaged. We are still in the process of assessing these damages. It is going to have a negative impact on the industry, so this is a cause for concern. Authorities must lock heads with us so we can find a solution to this problem.”
Homeless
Lesufi also says accommodation is being provided for the homeless who have been affected. The Department of Human Settlements was assigned the task of identifying the homeless and those who have been asked to leave the area.
“We identified 3 Kotze Street, which is at the corner of Joubert, to be the area where we will house everyone that needs housing.”
Assessments
Lesufi says a multi task team including officials from Egoli Gas and other stakeholders will conduct a further assessment in and around Bree Street in the Johannesburg CBD. This is to determine the kind of gas that caused the explosion that claimed one life.
Johannesburg City Manager, Floyd Brink, says they will conduct further inspections and implement an evacuation plan in and around the scene where the explosion occurred.
“We will be then continue to assess and do some proper evacuation plans this morning. So some of the vehicles were removed by tow trucks. Our JMPD and SAPS ensured those vehicles are safe. These are private and taxi associations. Some in an arrangement with them we ensure that they are safe. A team of consultants will focus on the structural integrity of the buildings as that is critical and we have retrieved one body around Bree Street area.”
Johannesburg CBD explosion media Briefing:
