By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The death toll in the Boksburg explosion has risen to 26, and two people are still missing, according to the Gauteng provincial government.
The government has said there are too many unanswered questions regarding the blast.
On Wednesday, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi went to visit the bereaved families and to offer support where needed.
“The last 48 hours have been very difficult … Sadly the numbers are climbing, they are climbing at a disturbing rate and we have agreed that only the numbers verified by the police will be publicised,” he said.
A 32-year-old was arrested on Saturday evening at a private hospital where he was receiving medical treatment for minor injuries.
He was charged with culpable homicide.
However, on Wednesday morning he was released from custody as there is “no case” against him.
“It is with a heavy heart that the said driver was released. I immediately sought an explanation from the police and the NPA and they gave me a detailed explanation. They are only ready with one charge of reckless driving and also destroying state property,” Lesufi added.
Lesufi said Gauteng police commissioner Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela assured him they had strengthened their team of investigators.
“We want the matter to be properly enrolled in the court. We will continue offering support to the families. South Africans would be disappointed to learn that the only charge that could be taken to court was reckless driving, whereas people lost lives. There is a forensic report that the police are dealing with.
“There is a specific report that would be obtained from the trucking company. The police must analyse the chemical the truck was carrying. There is also a report that would be obtained from engineers.
“The police are tightening their case. We have given them until Friday to enrol the case. We have 26 [dead] bodies. We need more personnel to deal with the case. We are on standby in case there are delays,” he added.
On Christmas Eve, a truck transporting liquid gas fuel exploded under a bridge, approximately 100 metres from Tambo Memorial Hospital, causing widespread damage to the hospital’s infrastructure.
Thirty-seven people, including 24 patients and 13 OR Tambo Memorial Hospital staffers, have sustained severe burns and have been diverted to neighbouring hospitals, including Bertha Gxowa, Far East Rand and LenMed. Three critical patients were airlifted to Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
The explosion also completely destroyed the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa’s infrastructure that is close to the scene.