COSATU Gauteng: City of Johannesburg a hazardous metro, Another gas explosion in Braamfontein

6 September 2023

The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in Gauteng is concerned and disheartened about yet another deadly gas explosion yesterday in Braamfontein.

Just one month after a devastating gas explosion that tore through Lilian Ngoyi Street in the heart of Johannesburg, leaving one person dead and at least 48 injured, and mere days after a fire that claimed the lives of 77 individuals in Marshalltown, there has been yet another gas explosion in Braamfontein, in the inner city.

It is reported that the explosion happened whilst Egoli Gas employees were conducting maintenance on its pipelines when the blast occurred during peak hour traffic on Tuesday. Five people were injured, while a truck and a building close to the Nelson Mandela Bridge caught fire.

COSATU applauds the work of the Emergency Services Management employees and firefighters for their heroic efforts and immediate responses to these heartbreaking events. We further call on the City of Johannesburg to hold Egoli Gas accountable and liable for all costs incurred, including medical bills for the injured people.

We wish a speedy recovery to the injured people.

Issued by Amos Monyela, Provincial Chairperson, COSATU, 6 September 2023