DA's Msimanga says delays in completing Bree Street repairs appalling

Alpha Ramushwana

Alpha Ramushwana

22 July 2025 | 12:42

It’s been two years since an underground gas explosion ripped through Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Johannesburg CBD, and repairs to the 1.8km stretch remain incomplete.

DA's Msimanga says delays in completing Bree Street repairs appalling

Leader of the opposition in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature, Solly Msimanga, on 22 July 2025 inspected Bree Street where a gas explosion destroyed the street in 2023. The Johannesburg Roads Agency reported the repairs to the street would be completed by the end of August. Picture: Jacques Nelles/EWN

JOHANNESBURG - It’s been two years since an underground gas explosion ripped through Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Johannesburg CBD, and repairs to the 1.8km stretch remain incomplete.

Commonly referred to as Bree Street, the city has been working to restore the damaged road, with a contractor still active on site.

READ: Only 15% of work to restore Bree Street completed following 2023 gas explosion, says Morero

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng is now conducting a site visit to assess the progress of the repairs along this once-bustling corridor.

What was once among the busiest streets in Johannesburg’s CBD remains a construction zone, with nearby businesses bearing the brunt.

Repairs to the corridor were originally scheduled for completion in November last year, but the City of Johannesburg now said the work will be finished by the end of August.

The delays were due to disputes with a previous contractor, and a new company has since taken over the project.

DA Gauteng leader Solly Msimanga said the delays were appalling.

"We have been told this place will be ready by end of August or beginning of September. It’s not going to happen."

Almost R200 million was allocated to fix the road.

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