By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi says all private and public companies which have infrastructure in the city to have been summoned to assess their systems and whether the cause can be traced back to their infrastructure.
Lesufi said early indications were that an underground gas pipeline may have exploded, causing extensive damage to the area.
“Egoli Gas remains our centre of focus,” said Lesufi at a media briefing on Thursday morning.
At least one person was killed, and 48 others were injured after the explosion.
Twelve people are receiving treatment in various hospitals.
In a statement, Egoli Gas said it has done inspections of its pipeline network in the CBD, and the pipeline running on the road servitude of Bree Street had been checked and was not damaged.
“A small leak has been detected on the servitude pipeline at the corner of Bree and Eloff on a 100mm pipe. We believe the crack in the pipe has been caused by the collapse of the road,” the statement read.
The company said it would be repairing the leak.
“Egoli Gas notes that there are approximately 15 other utility lines in the same area, for example, a sewerage line that runs directly underneath the street. We would like to reiterate that our pipelines run on the servitude of the road.
“Egoli Gas observed through various platforms and by onsite members that one or two manhole covers have been blown off, and a white gas-like substance is seen coming from these openings as well as some of the exposed cracks in the road. Egoli Gas would like to mention that our piped natural gas is not visible to the human eye, and this appears to be visible warm steam.
“We will keep the public posted as we continue assessing any damage to our network and assisting and providing piped natural gas expertise to the authorities, ensuring the area is maintained safe,” the company said.
Illegal mining operations are also known to be conducted in and around the Johannesburg CBD and were also discussed as possible causes by police on the scene.
The degree of damage to neighbouring residences had not been ascertained.
CCTV footage of Joburg CBD Bree Street explosion released.#JHBExplosion pic.twitter.com/VdSpnNpAg8
— CrimeInSA (@sa_crime) July 20, 2023
Meanwhile in a statement, City Power said services within the Johannesburg CBD had been affected.
Three substations: Bree, Braamfontein and Johnware substations were not switched back on after load shedding last night and would remain so until the Joint Command Team comprising the CoJ Emergency Services, Disaster Management and other CoJ and Provincial units have given the go-ahead.
“Bree substation is a few meters away from the area with the huge impact, and the suspicion is that its structural integrity may have been affected. Our team of engineers and technicians are on site doing assessments and tests on the network to get the extent of the impact on the electricity infrastructure,” the statement read.
A joint operations committee, with representatives from the South African Police Service, Disaster Management Services, and other key stakeholders, has been formed to investigate.