LHL Attorneys Incorporated has filed a R65-million lawsuit in the Johannesburg High Court on behalf of 67 victims of the devastating 2022 Christmas Eve explosion in Boksburg, which killed 41 people and left over 100 injured.
The legal action targets Infinite Fleet Transport, Innovative Staffing Solutions, and the City of Ekurhuleni, alleging corporate and municipal negligence. According to the victims’ legal team, the tragedy was preventable and exacerbated by inadequate safety measures and poor emergency response.
A Preventable Tragedy?
Associate attorney Gabrielle Berkowitz, representing the victims, stated that the explosion resulted from multiple failures.
-
Infinite Fleet Transport owned the tanker that exploded.
-
Innovative Staffing Solutions provided the driver, who reportedly went off-route without redirection.
-
The City of Ekurhuleni is accused of poor road signage and service delivery, with experts confirming non-compliant and outdated signage.
Berkowitz emphasized that the disaster’s impact could have been mitigated with proper protocols and infrastructure.
Challenges in Pursuing Justice
The case faces significant hurdles, including extensive documentation and the trauma of victims—many of whom lost caregivers, leaving children without parents. Legal guardians had to be appointed for minors affected by the tragedy.
Berkowitz anticipates a lengthy legal battle, as the defendants have not yet taken accountability. The lawsuit, filed this week, is expected to be contested.
Seeking Accountability, Not Precedent
While the case highlights corporate and municipal responsibility, Berkowitz clarified that the primary goal is justice for victims rather than setting legal precedent.
“We have laws to ensure accountability—this case is about enforcing them so such a tragedy never happens again,” she said.
The lawsuit seeks approximately R65 million in compensation, with amounts varying based on individual claims.
As the case progresses, South Africans will be watching closely, hoping for justice for the victims of one of the country’s deadliest disasters.