Cape Town – The government is calling on professionals in the building sector to support initiatives led by the Gauteng Premierand City of Johannesburg following the explosion in Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Johannesburg CBD on Wednesday night.
The blast killed one person and injured scores more.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Sihle Zikalala on Friday urged the Council for the Built Environment, an entity within the Department of Public Works and Infrastructure (DPWI), to mobilise the sector, professionals, engineers, geologists and other specialists, the government reported.
According to the DPWI, the mobilisation of the professionals is aimed at restoring normalcy, protecting the public and rebuilding of infrastructure.
Eyewitnesses and people living near the explosion site have reported a strong smell of gas lingering in the air, long after the explosion.
It was reported earlier that the City of Johannesburg had narrowed down the possible causes of the blast to three.
One person was killed, and 41 others injured in the rush-hour blast, which overturned vehicles and destroyed sections of Lilian Ngoyi Street and Rissik Street.
Most streets have been cordoned off due to the effects of the blast. Energy and Water services have been turned off in the area and damage to the sewerage line will take at least three days to repair.
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@kzngov
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Robyn Leary
