• Johannesburg’s Lilian Ngoyi Street remains in a state of disrepair almost 18 months after an underground explosion destroyed it.
• Little progress has been made despite the municipality setting aside R200 million for repairs and appointing a contractor.
• Municipal media liaison Robin van der Byl told Briefly News there were new project deadlines for August 2025 and 2026.
• DA Johannesburg caucus leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku told Briefly News that an oversight had occurred on November 13.

JOHANNESBURG — Nearly 18 months after a devastating explosion rocked the city centre, ravaging long stretches of Lilian Ngoyi (formerly Bree) Street, Johannesburg’s main road continues to deteriorate.

The explosion on Wednesday July 19, 2023, which an investigation later attributed to an underground leak – after authorities said seismic activity caused methane to move into the tunnels – caused significant damage to infrastructure .

Joburg street has been in poor condition for almost 18 months

In its wake, one person was killed, several were injured and five taxis overturned while trapping motorists in their vehicles. carsclosing several roads and causing widespread panic and service interruptions.

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On 11 January 2024, Kabelo Gwamanda, then Executive Mayor of Johannesburg, announced the start of the construction project to rehabilitate the street, after appointing a contractor.

Gwamanda, during a press briefing at City of Johannesburg Braamfontein municipal offices, said the planning and design stages were finalized on November 20, 2023 after three months.

The city has set aside a budget of almost R200 million for the mammoth reconstruction and rehabilitation project, comprising road infrastructure, storm water treatment, electrical, mechanical, structural and service works.

Additionally, Gwamanda highlighted a 12-month construction period and said the Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) would undertake strict monitoring to ensure on-time completion.

But little progress was made between January 11 and December 15, 2024.

Look at it SABC News video below.

Democratic Alliance (DA) Johannesburg Caucus Leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said this in an exclusive interview with In brief News before a planned inspection visit to the site on November 13.

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“The DA is concerned, especially as businesses in the central business district (CBD) are on their last legs,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.

“Besides businesses, commuters are affected and crime, resulting from malfunctioning streetlights, is common. Although the city has promised to deploy security services, none were on site during (our previous) visits surveillance.”

She said the municipality had failed to provide tangible answers to the lack of progress.

“The JRA and the municipality have not given any concrete answers on how the R200 million was spent without tangible works carried out. They have also not answered questions on how the money will be recovered. “

When In brief News After contacting the office of Municipal Roads and Transport Committee (MMC) member Kenny Kunene for comment, municipal media liaison Robin van der Byl said he was awaiting information from officials .

However, he confirmed that new deadlines had been set for the project, which is divided into two parts: the first will start in August 2025 and the second a year later, in August 2026.

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At the time of publishing this article, there was no substantive response as to the reason for the delays.

“We have informed Executive Mayor Dada Morero that the new delays are unacceptable. This is now the second extension and we do not believe this road will be repaired,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.

“We have seen more homeless people moving in and the likelihood of an economic recovery in the CBD is (limited) without intervention.”

Source: In Brief News