Business owners along Lilian Ngoyi Street complain of spike in crime since gas blast road closures
While business owners are pleased with the progress made by the city in repairing Lilian Ngoyi Street, crime has become a pain, challenging the already struggling entrepreneurs.
A view of repair work being done along Lilian Ngoyi Street on 6 May 2024 following a gas blast in 2023. Picture: Jacques Nelles/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG - Some business owners say crime levels have spiked on Lilian Ngoyi Street in the Johannesburg CBD, since the closure of the road after an explosion.
Repairs are underway on the popular route following a methane gas explosion that killed one person and injured over 40 others.
Eyewitness News visited the area on Monday to monitor progress made, four months since the city began repairs.
While business owners are pleased with the progress made by the city in repairing Lilian Ngoyi Street, crime has become a pain, challenging the already struggling entrepreneurs.
Operators along the street say while there are crime prevention wardens, dubbed amaPanyaza, patrolling the area, there's been a significant increase of criminal activity.
Dines Sailor, an owner of the Dakota Music Store, said they were not just making a loss from no business but from theft as well.
"Especially like the corner stores and stuff like that. You will see on their WhatsApp groups and stuff like that, theft."
Sailor said that despite bearing the brunt of the explosion and its subsequent crime, he has faith that the city would complete repairs timeously.