Dada Morero Praises Lilian Ngoyi Street’s Rehabilitation, South Africans Divided Over Paving Choice

• City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero confirmed that Lilian Ngoyi Street will be opened on 12 September 2025
• The street, in the city centre, has been closed due to an underground gas explosion in July 2023
• South Africans weighed in on Morero's update, with many debating the decision to use paving instead of tar

Briefly News journalist Byron Pillay has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He spent 10 years working for the Northern Natal Courier before transitioning to online journalism.

GAUTENG – Dada Morero is celebrating the impending reopening of Lilian Ngoyi Street, but not everyone shares his enthusiasm. The street, formerly Bree Street, has been closed since July 2023 following an underground gas explosion.

The explosion destroyed several blocks and damaged infrastructure in the city centre. Video footage of the event soon surfaced, showing the damage caused by the explosion.

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On Monday, 01 September 2025, the City of Johannesburg Mayor conducted a site visit to the area to see how the rehabilitation project was progressing.

Morero hails the impending reopening of street

During his site visit, Morero exclaimed that it marked a significant milestone in Johannesburg’s ongoing journey of recovery and renewal.

Morero also confirmed that the City of Johannesburg has spent R82 million of the R192 million allocated budget for the project.

“A total of R82 million has been spent on work package one, which refers to the scene of the explosion. R110 million has been secured for work package two,” he said.

He added that the remainder of the budget would go towards enhancing the visual appeal of Lilian Ngoyi Street.

Road to reopen on 12 September

While the first phase is now complete, Morero confirmed that the road will remain closed until it reopens on 12 September 2025..

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The rebuilt road now also features paving bricks, instead of tar. Speaking about the decision to opt for paving bricks, Johannesburg Roads Agency (JRA) CEO Zweli Nyathi said it was part of the transportation master plan.

“The city is moving towards a smart direction. Secondly, as part of the transportation masterplan, that is why you find yourself standing on the pavement,” he said.

How did citizens react?

Social media users were left divided by Morero’s update. While some were glad that the road would finally be reopened, others questioned the decision to use paving bricks.

@AndileDyakala said:

“Well done, Mr Mayor. I think the public must take into account the complexity of the project and what was the envisaged timeframe for full completion and cost to date.”

@StHonorable questioned:

“You replaced tar with paving? And you think you have done justice? How much did it cost the contractor to do this paving? The ANC is beyond repair, shame.”

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@GetrudeM stated:

“They replaced tar with paving for a very busy CBD road, and the work is not complete yet, but they're PR’ing the whole mess.”

@SimplyMegszcpt stated:

“You should be ashamed of yourself and not brag about recovery and renewal. This is your job that you failed miserably at. Two years to fix that section of road, and here you are, celebrating mediocrity. What did that section of road cost to repair? Please do inform taxpayers of the final cost, and please don't embarrass yourself and the country by having a ribbon-cutting event.”

@Recon1_ZA asked:

“Can I suggest some trees? While I understand the reasoning for paving and think it's a great idea, the place looks like Gaza.”

@XFactor079 stated:

“Replaced tar with paving. Nonsense!”

@TheVeZzy said:

“I love the concept of paving so that the city becomes more walkable and safer. Also, please protect the city from having illegal street vendors on this street. We support them, but they must be in their designated areas and stop ruining the city.”

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@THULIIIIIIIIII stated:

“The bar is too low. How can you celebrate a project that dragged on for two years? Have some shame, if there is any that is left in you.”

JRA defends reconstruction delays

Briefly News reported in November 2024 that the JRA defended the delays in repairing Lilian Ngoyi Street.

Promises were made that the repair and rehabilitation of the road would be completed by December 2024.

The Democratic Alliance conducted an on-site visit of the street and found the inactivity of contractors on-site.

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Source: Briefly News