A young child was electrocuted due to illegal electricity connections in Thembalethu, Zone 9 in George in the Western Cape on Wednesday.

The George Municipality says in a statement the incident occurred in the afternoon due to an illegally connected wire.

A case of infrastructure damage and theft was opened by the municipality and police have opened an inquest docket. The municipality has been unable to reach the parents of the deceased child.

Portfolio Councillor MMC for Electrotechnical Services Nosicelo Mbete says the department is saddened by the incident.

“The loss of a young life is unnecessary; we cannot overemphasise the dangers attached to illegal connections. Any kind of electricity ‘tapping’, no matter how small or innocent-looking, is illegal and dangerous,” she said.

An operation to remove illegal connections took place in the area on March 29.

The municipality says it will continue to act decisively in such matters, as illegal connections put the perpetrator in danger of electrocution, risking injury and death to themselves as well as the rest of the community. These connections lie across pathways and walkways where anyone passing can easily be electrocuted.

The municipality has also allocated R10.5m into the electrification of informal settlements, and these projects are well underway, including a pilot project using renewable energy.

“An electricity connection is considered illegal when connected to the municipal network without the organisation’s permission. Wires connected to a mini-substation or overhead pole. The forms of electricity theft include illegal connections, illegal electrification schemes and meter tampering and bypassing. These illegal electrical thefts occur in areas where illegal informal structures are built,” the municipality says.

“Where people have connected themselves illegally, the municipality will continue to actively find the perpetrators and lay criminal charges against them,” reads the statement.

“In terms of the Criminal Procedures Act 51 of 1977, interference with and the damage to municipal property could be regarded as sabotage and should someone be found guilty of such an offence, a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years can follow.”

The municipality offers a reward for information that leads to the successful conviction of electrical theft and/or vandalism in a court of law.

The witness will have to go on record to the authorities, giving his or her name and contact details to testify, but his or her identity will be protected.

To be eligible for the reward, report illegal connections to 0860 044 044.