South Africa’s ‘forgotten’ disaster

The explosion on Lillian Ngoyi Street, formerly Bree Street, in Johannesburg, stands as a grim reminder of a devastating event that rocked South Africa’s economic hub.

Sixteen months after the incident, however, little progress has been made in repairing the area, highlighting significant challenges in infrastructure rehabilitation and governance in the metro.

The disaster occurred in July 2023 when a methane gas explosion tore through the heart of Johannesburg’s old central business district.

The blast claimed one life, injured 48 individuals, and caused catastrophic damage to the road and adjacent streets.

The city announced that the cost of repairing the damage would reach R196 million, encompassing extensive professional services, roadworks, stormwater and infrastructure upgrades, as well as electrical, mechanical, and structural repairs.

Despite initial assurances that repairs would be completed by the end of 2024, the timeline has now been extended to 2026.

The explosion itself was attributed to a build-up of methane gas within underground service tunnels beneath the street.

These tunnels, a critical yet ageing part of Johannesburg’s infrastructure, became a dangerous pressure point due to years of neglect and insufficient maintenance.

Initially, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) appointed an engineering firm to lead the rehabilitation project.

However, numerous contractual failures by the company resulted in severe delays.

These included non-compliance with required documentation, failure to adhere to project standards, and consistently poor performance.

The situation escalated with repeated warnings, performance meetings, and notices of non-compliance, culminating in the termination of the contractor’s agreement on 14 August 2024.

The fallout from this termination further delayed progress.

Although due diligence had been conducted during the first contractor’s appointment, meeting all the necessary financial and grading requirements and passed checks on the National Treasury’s restricted suppliers list, their performance ultimately fell short of expectations.

This failure underscores systemic issues in public procurement processes despite the city’s efforts to ensure transparency and fairness in awarding contracts.

Following the termination, the JRA initiated the search for a new contractor to take over the rehabilitation.

According to the JRA’s then-acting CEO, Lufuno Mashau (who is now the CFO), the agency remains aware of the severe disruptions caused by the prolonged closure of Lillian Ngoyi Street.

The closure, which spans a crucial section of the inner city between Harrison and Wanderers Streets, has deeply affected road users, businesses, and residents.

Mashau emphasised the importance of swift action to resume construction and minimise further inconvenience.

The rehabilitation project, now split into two phases, involves significant technical and logistical challenges.

The first phase includes reconstructing 450 meters of collapsed road, building a new reinforced concrete tunnel, relocating stormwater and sewer pipes, installing advanced lighting, detection, and ventilation systems, and implementing lateral support for structural stability.

This phase is expected to take nine months, with a new completion date set for 30 June 2025—six months beyond the original deadline.

The second phase will focus on road surface upgrades and sidewalk adjustments along the 1.8-kilometre stretch of Lillian Ngoyi Street.

Although its duration is estimated at 12 months, delays in the first phase have pushed the projected completion date to 30 June 2026.

The drawn-out timeline has sparked significant public outcry and political scrutiny.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) conducted an oversight visit to the site and expressed frustration over the lack of progress.

They have since written to the Special Investigations Unit and National Treasury, demanding accountability for the mismanagement and delays.

These actions reflect a growing demand for transparency and efficiency in addressing Johannesburg’s infrastructure woes.

July 2023

November 2024

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