Residents suspect striking municipal workers, who are damaging infrastructure, are the reason for the accident.

Senabile Mathata was playing hide and seek with his friends when he was electrocuted by electrical wires sticking out of a mini-substation. The mini-substation belongs to the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality and is situated near the Chromeville flats.

Senabile’s mother, Sanele, told www.mobserver.co.za that she was driving home at about 16:30 when she was stopped by children on the road close to her home.

The traumatised children told her that her son had been badly burnt.

Senabile had sustained multiple wounds on his right arm, chest and stomach. People at the scene advised her not to touch Senabile because he was badly injured.

The distressed mother transported her son to the Middelburg Med 24, where he received medical treatment. She said her son has been visiting medical doctors since the incident occurred.

Eyewitnesses suspect that municipal saboteurs were tampering with the mini-substation.

She also adds that she went to report the matter to the Mhluzi Police Station, who didn’t open a case.

The Steve Tshwete Local Municipality could not be reached for comment before print.

• Last week, saboteurs damaged an electrical panel in the Eastdene Centre, residents and businesses were in the dark for two days. On November 9, vandals pulled the circuit breakers out of street lights in Bhimy Damane Street.