Lilian Ngoyi Street Repairs: DA Demands Corruption Inquiry Over R82-Million Spend

A political storm is brewing over the repair work on Johannesburg’s Lilian Ngoyi Street, with the Democratic Alliance (DA) officially demanding an inquiry into potential corruption and misspent funds.

The call for action follows revelations that a staggering R82 million has already been spent fixing the road damaged in a July 2023 underground gas explosion.

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The crisis began in July 2023 when a powerful underground gas explosion ripped through the formerly named Bree Street, severely damaging the infrastructure and crippling a key CBD thoroughfare.

Mayor Dada Morero recently declared that a whopping R82 million has been allocated and spent on the repair project to date. This enormous figure has raised immediate red flags for the official opposition party, prompting serious questions about how the public’s money was used.

“Something Fishy”: DA Alleges Corruption and Shoddy Work

The DA is not mincing words, alleging that the project reeks of corruption and poor oversight.

The party’s central demand is a full investigation into what happened to the funds paid to the initial contractor, suggesting the money may have disappeared without the necessary repair work being completed. They point to the current state of the street as evidence of malfeasance.

Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku, DA Joburg caucus leader, did not hold back, stating, “It is shocking that we are seeing paving instead of actual repair of the road, and we believe there is something fishy going on.”

The Demand: A Full Forensic Investigation Into City Contracts

Moving beyond allegations, the DA is formally pushing for a comprehensive forensic investigation. The probe would focus on the contracting process, the flow of funds, and the quality of work delivered for the R82 million expenditure.

The party aims to hold the city administration accountable, ensuring that public funds are spent effectively and transparently, especially on critical infrastructure projects needed to get Johannesburg back on track.

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