Eight-year-old killed after being electrocuted by open electricity box

Family members of Siphesihle Magubane (8) have spoken out about municipal negligence after the boy was electrocuted to death.

Lindiwe Marx Magubane, a representative for the family, expressed how her nephew’s untimely death has affected the family.

According to her, the boy’s death was due to Rand West City Local Municipality’s lack of service delivery.

“The community has been filing complaints about the electricity boxes for years. We have been asking the municipality to close the boxes since they pose a danger to the whole community. There are multiple boxes in Mohlakeng standing wide open with live wiring. There is even an open sewer system that could be dangerous,” Lindiwe said.

At about noon on December 2, Siphesihle was playing in the street with his friends. Somehow, he touched the wire inside of the electricity box whereafter he was electrocuted. Lindiwe thinks he might have stumbled while playing.

“I rushed outside and pulled him out of the current. I immediately rushed him to the clinic where they pronounced him dead after trying to resuscitate him,” she expressed.

She added the child had multiple severe injuries to his face, arms and torso which were sustained from the high-voltage shock.

“The box has been open for 10 years. Now that Siphesihle died due to their negligence, the box is strapped up and closed. We asked the municipality on numerous occasions to close it. Just because it was not your child that died, does not mean it doesn’t concern you. This happened due to pure negligence,” she expressed.

After Siphesihle’s death, the municipality issued a statement where Deputy Executive Mayor Nontombi Molatlhegi and Council Speaker Selina Moumakwe visited the clinic shortly after the incident.

“We would like to encourage parents and the community to educate and reprimand children from playing near or with electrical boxes. The city acknowledges its responsibility in this matter and is committed to taking corrective action,” their statement read.

It also claimed that electricians were on site the day of the incident to ensure safer measures.

After family members of Siphesihle read the statement on Facebook, they felt upset about the way the municipality handled the tragedy.

“The municipality wrote a press release without letting us know. It is blatantly disrespectful and insensitive. We are still mourning the loss of a child. For the municipality to post that press release without the family’s consent is like rubbing salt in our wounds,” Lindiwe explained.

The municipality has been approached for further comment but none has been received at the time of going to print. Their feedback will be published once received.