Another child electrocuted in Emjindini

EMJINDINI- Another family in Emjindini mourns the death of a loved one due to an illegal electrical connection.

The latest victim of this reckless and lawless act is an innocent nine-year-old-girl, Siphosetfu Masango.

Siphosetfu, who resided at Phola Park, formerly known as Etingulubeni, met her untimely death last Thursday afternoon while she was coming from Siyanakekela drop-in-centre where she used to get her meal after school.

She was a grade-two learner at Ekuchathuzeni Primary School in Emjindini.

When Barberton Times visited the Masango family, residents expressed anger and disgust at the circumstances that contributed to the death of the young girl. Umjindi drop-in-centres, which included Siyanakekela where Siphosetfu had been served, were present at her home, to provide comfort and food parcels to assist the family.

Cllr Anthea Mthunywa said all Emjindini residents should be concerned about such a tragedy. “It is always painful when someone dies but when an innocent child dies, especially due to the recklessness and irresponsible behaviour of others, it is even more agonising. It boggles the mind how some people could be so heartless not to think about the dangers and hazards they subject others to, just because of their selfish motives of connecting illegal electricity,” said Mthunywa.

This is the second reported incident of death from illegal connections in Emjindini.

In June Prince Mkhonto (5), who was a grade R learner at Amon Nkosi Primary School in Emjindini, was playing outside his home with his friends when he accidentally grabbed an electric wire, and was electrocuted.

Residents had warned that these two tragic deaths might not be the last of this nature.

They therefore called Umjindi Municipality to embark on an aggressive campaign to stamp out the illegal practice, which endangers lives.

At the same time, these illegal acts are causing loss of vital revenue to Umjindi, which is struggling to return to efficiency and profitability.

Umjindi spokesman, Sam Jele, in the issue of July 30, said the council was losing more than R3 million a month due to illegal electricity connections.

Const Tutu Nkosi, spokesman for Barberton police said an inquest would be held into the child’s death.

She was buried on Saturday.