Gauteng premier Mbhazima Shilowa and the provincial executive council on Wednesday expressed outrage at the explosions which rocked Soweto overnight killing a woman.
A blast ripped a hole in the northern wall of a mosque in Soweto’s Dlamini area, while other explosions cut railway lines between the sprawling suburb and the city.
The premier and MECs sent their condolences to the family of the victim. The woman (42) was killed when debris hit her shack in the Protea South informal settlement while she lay asleep with her husband.
The 51-year-old husband was in a stable condition at the Chris Hani-Baragwanath Hospital after sustaining head injuries.
Gauteng safety and liaison MEC Nomvula Mokonyane and three government ministers — Charles Nqakula (Safety and Security), Penuell Maduna (Justice) and Lindiwe Sisulu (Intelligence) — toured the site of the blasts.
The City of Johannesburg said it would do everything in its power to assist the security forces in arresting the perpetrators.
Spokesman Kgotso Chikane said the city condemned the ghastly acts of cowardice. He called upon all Soweto residents to remain calm. Measures were in place to ensure that there would be no disruptions of municipal services.
”Water and electricity provision to Soweto areas will not be affected. The national, provincial and local security agencies are all working closely together and we are confident that the situation is under control,” Chikane said.
Johannesburg City executive mayor Amos Masondo visited Soweto on Wednesday morning to inspect the damage and express support to the communities.
Chikane said: ”Earlier this morning, the City dispatched 26 buses to Soweto to assist stranded commuters on all affected railway stations with Metrorail tickets.”
There were 20 buses departing from Naledi picking up commuters from all stations in that railway line, and six others from Crowne Station.
The buses would ferry commuters to the City where further transport could be found, said Chikane. – Sapa