There are still no answers from the Gauteng Government on what caused the gas explosion in the Joburg CBD on Wednesday evening which left one person dead, 48 injured and scores of homeless people without shelter.
The experts who spent the night inspecting the damage to the surface, cars and buildings that initial reports said was caused by a gas explosion, have still not come out with any explanations on what caused the blasts.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi confirmed in a press briefing on Thursday morning that the government still has no idea what was the source of the ‘catastrophe that caused panic and mayhem’ in Jozi.
“We are still searching for the source, the cause so we are in a position to intervene and provide the necessary support. Until we find that source, it is extremely difficult for us to provide guidance in all other matters.
“We have counted 34 vehicles and there were seven of those that were in a bad state and police have advised they should be kept at the scene to form part of the investigation. There were four private vehicles handed over to their owner of the 34 that were handed over, the majority were taxis and you know it’s an industry that has to do business,” he said.
The Joburg Mayor Kabelo Gwamanda said experts had to do a thorough assessment before fingers can be pointed at the government for neglecting infrastructure or at the private sector.
Gwamanda said they don’t know when the road will be opened again.
Eye witnesses who stay across busy Bree Street now called Lillian Ngoyi Enock Skhosana said he was shocked when the explosion occurred and didn’t know what to do.
“We are concerned, if it is safe for us to stay inside, if we should be inside the building or outside and if so for how long should we be away from our building. We just want to know if we are safe,” he said.
Another bystander Zakhele Msomi said the explosion was so loud he thought it was a bomb.
“It was around 5.10pm. The explosion was so loud I thought it was an ATM bombing. When it exploded we started running away with the people who were in the streets. Later when we came back we found taxis piling up on top of each other and there was gas smoke coming out, it was very scary,” he added.
Another eyewitness Alex Louw also unpacked what he saw as a disaster. “I heard an explosion and the road cracked and it partly swallowed the cars, mostly taxis and there were people inside them as no one expected this.
“This is a very busy street and it happened during the peak hour. The taxis were picking up people who were going home after work and so on.”
Egoli Gas, which supplies about 8 500 customers in the City, distanced itself from the explosion saying: “It is unlikely that the explosion in JHB CBD, Bree Street was caused by a gas pipeline or leak,” the organisation said in a statement.
