By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Some residents affected by the Johannesburg gas explosion on Lilian Ngoyi Street still don’t have water and electricity supply on Monday, as the area is still not cleared.
The gas-related explosion claimed the life of one person and left 48 others injured.
Executive mayor Kabelo Gwamanda addressed the media on Monday while on an oversight visit to the area to assess the extent of the damage caused by the explosion.
Johannesburg City Manager Floyd Brink and city officials accompanied the mayor.
Gwamanda said preliminary reports indicated that the explosion is gas-related, and therefore the area needs to be cleared of any gas leaks before power can be reconnected.
“The city has resources to ensure that during this time of these cut-offs, that is necessary because we have not reached a level where zero percentage of gas exists and experts declaring the area safe, we are unable to connect power.
“Although it bothers their service delivery and human rights, we need to ensure that we prioritise their safety first.
“I also urge the public to steer clear of the cordoned area, their safety is of paramount importance, and we are here to ensure that we finalise the processes in the shortest space of time as possible,” added Gwamanda.
Brink said water and power had yet to be restored because some parts of the CBD had not yet been declared safe.
“We request residents to be patient with us. We will continue providing them with water and servicing our mobile chemical toilets.”
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said: “We will switch on once the disaster management, Department of Labour and EMS give us the go-ahead. About 2 800 households are affected.”
Brink also warned that the city would arrest and impound vehicles driving through the barricaded site along Lilian Ngoyi Street.
“From tomorrow [Tuesday], there won’t be any tolerance for those who disobey our officers. Motorists who drive through our barricades will have their vehicles impounded,” said Brink.
He also warned pedestrians not to walk into the site. Some were seen strolling along and standing above the cracked tar road, taking pictures.