The explosion on Bree Street in the Johannesburg CBD on Wednesday damaged cars and taxis and left one person dead. Picture: THULANI MBELE
Business owners affected by the Joburg CBD explosion say they do not know how they will survive when they are unable to work.Their businesses are located along Bree Street, which had to be cordoned off following Wednesday’s explosion.KK Fashions owner Abraham Mamede on Thursday told of how he had been blocked from getting to his shop.“The store is our sole source of income and without it, I don’t know what we’re going to do. I don’t know where to go from here and I don’t know what the plan is.
“I’ve known these employees for three years, so I couldn’t just let them go. Like them, now I have to go and look for a job to feed my family for now. That shop is my family’s life.” Thabo Mputi, the owner of Life Herbal Remedy Store said he had been standing behind the tape the whole day, trying to understand when they would be allowed to get back to their jobs.“I don’t know if there has been any damage to the shop or not. The only thing that has been damaged so far is my car that was recovered and given back to me. I don’t have any insurance or cover, and I’m hoping there’s no damage to the shop.”“They all depend on me and this shop.