It’s been a year since the devastating gas explosion on Bree Street in Johannesburg, yet residents, street hawkers, and business owners in the area feel increasingly trapped by the lack of progress. The explosion, which occurred in July 2023, ripped open Lillian Ngoyi Street (formerly Bree Street), leaving one person dead and 48 others injured. Despite promises of reconstruction, the road remains closed, and visible progress is minimal. In January, the municipality announced that work had begun on the street, with an estimated budget of R194 million for repairs, but as of November, no contractors were seen working at the site.
Local business owners are bearing the brunt of the ongoing disruption. Lucky, a shop owner in the area, explained that since the street was barricaded for repairs, business has plummeted. “We’re losing business in renting out shops. Rates and taxes are still high, but the business is no longer the same. We’ve lost a lot,” he said. He also pointed out that the barricades have made the area a hotspot for crime, with robberies occurring, especially at night. “No one is providing updates on the road repairs,” Lucky added, noting that his shop and others have seen a 60% decline in customers due to the detours.
Residents are also frustrated with the lack of progress. Nomsa Moyo, a local vendor, said the situation is long overdue for resolution. “We can’t walk long distances to access stores we used to visit easily. The barricades and the roadwork seem to be moving at a snail’s pace, and we can hardly reach any businesses now,” she said. Another resident, Lebohang Rufino, highlighted the unsanitary conditions since the explosion, with stagnant water and garbage accumulating on the streets. “The hygiene is awful. The place has become a haven for neglect and abuse,” he said.
The political response to the delay has been equally critical. The DA’s Joburg caucus leader, Belinda Kayser, expressed concerns over the mismanagement of the project. “Contractors for the site have been hired and fired multiple times, and the promises from the city and provincial government about turning the area into an inner-city park and completing the project within a year now seem unlikely,” Kayser stated. As the city continues to face challenges in addressing the aftermath of the explosion, residents and business owners are left waiting for concrete answers and solutions.
