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The recent explosion that rocked Newtown, Johannesburg, on Wednesday 19 July has left the South African Communist Party (SACP) in Linda Jabane District, Greater Johannesburg, Gauteng Province, and the nation deeply worried.

We urgently call for comprehensive and scientifically verified information regarding the cause of this unfortunate event as the incident resulted in the collapse of a significant portion of Bree Street, endangering lives, and causing one reported fatality, as well as numerous injuries, substantial damage to infrastructure, and automotive vehicles, primarily used by the working-class community.

The South African Communist Party extends our heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased and wishes a swift recovery to those injured, as they receive necessary medical attention.

We urge all residents and workers in the affected area to actively cooperate with the evacuation measures implemented by the authorities, considering both the safety and livelihoods of those affected.

While we acknowledge the swift response of Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi and local authorities in providing updates from the scene, we emphasize the importance of a thorough investigation that will guide the nation towards effective preventive measures against similar or disparate explosions, not only in Johannesburg but also in other parts of the country. This necessitates the Greater Johannesburg Metro authorities' full cooperation with provincial and national counterparts during the investigative process to ascertain the cause of the explosion and to propose a clear path forward.

As a party committed to the welfare of all South Africans, we emphasize the significance of transparent, accountable, and collaborative efforts in safeguarding our communities and preventing such tragedies from recurring in the future.

Issued by the SACP Linda Jabane District