The images of cars balancing by their axles on the ripped tarmac and taxis laying on their sides on the pavement after being flung in the air at Joburg’s Bree Street last week sent the vigilant motorist in me into panic overdrive.

I put myself in the shoes of the more than 20 motorists whose vehicles were severely damaged by the explosion that tore apart several roads near Bree Street  taxi rank on Tuesday evening, leaving a trail of destruction that would take the government years to fix. The cause of the underground explosion still remains unclear although fingers have been pointed at illegal mining and an underground gas leak. ..