DA Sparks Outrage Comparing Cape Town’s Bree Street to Joburg’s Explosion-Ravaged Lillian Ngoyi Street

In case you missed it, Joburg’s Bree Street, recently renamed Lillian Ngoyi Street, suffered a brutal gas explosion in July 2023. The blast tragically claimed a life, injured others, and left the CBD looking like a scene from a disaster film. Infrastructure damage was massive, and city services went haywire. So, DA’s post? It felt a bit… personal.

The Backlash – #CheapPolitics or #CityPride?

People weren’t shy about sharing their hot takes. On X (formerly Twitter), @MonwabisiKete didn’t hold back, calling the DA out for “celebrating people’s suffering” to highlight Cape Town’s glow-up. He, and others, threw shade, accusing the DA of taking low blows against the ANC by drawing this divisive comparison. “South Africa, beware of the Democratic Alliance,” he added, clearly riled up.

Another user, @CovFefeFentse, threw in some spicy humor, “Was there a gas explosion in Bree Street, Cape Town? Only illiterates compare apples with cabbages.” Ouch.

Facebook users were just as opinionated, but with a twist. Some ditched the backstory and jumped in to applaud Cape Town’s DA-led council. Comments like “Thanks DA, just keep up the awesome work” and “Here in Cape Town, it’s clean” reflect the vibe of those who feel their city’s a model for others to follow.

Beyond the Insta-Perfect Cape Town: The Reality Check 🏚️

Now, some South Africans reminded the DA that not all of Cape Town is an influencer’s paradise. Western Cape residents pointed out areas like Nyanga, Langa, and Khayelitsha—places with serious development challenges. Housing backlogs, high crime rates, and ongoing social issues mean these communities face realities far from the idyllic Bree Street image.

And then, the Joburg side. As Joburg residents know all too well, the Bree Street explosion didn’t just wreck a road—it disrupted lives and routines for months. The ongoing struggle to fix it adds to their frustration. The Johannesburg Roads Agency had to fire the original contractor, with the new completion date set for mid-2025. Joburg Mayor Dada Morero made it clear that the city did its part, but the contractors didn’t deliver.

So, Was It Fair Play or Over the Line? 🌍

The DA’s post has sparked a bigger conversation about transparency, accountability, and, let’s face it, city pride. While some argue that they’re using a tragic event to take shots at the ANC, others feel it’s a spotlight on the disparities in governance. Is it cheap politics, or is it the brutal reality of how different cities handle their problems?