A five-year-old girl was electrocuted because of an illegal power connection in Mamelodi last week.
Mpho Moganedi somehow came in touch with a live power cable in Phomolong informal settlement in Mamelodi East. The cable was lying on the ground.
She and her twin brother Mphoza were on their way to a spaza shop.
Grandmother Queen Moganedi (58) said: “The children asked for money to buy snacks at a nearby spaza shop. I gave them money to go, but a few minutes her twin brother returned alone and told me that his sister was dead. I rushed to the scene and found my grandchild lying on the ground dead.”
She said Mpho would be greatly missed by family members and mostly by her twin brother. She asked how many lives should be lost, before the Tshwane metro would install electricity.
Petrus Mogowane, a resident in Phomolong Informal Settlement said: “We have been living in Phomolong for more than 12 years without electricity and have lost count of how many meetings we had with the Tshwane metro about electricity in the area. ”
“The Tshwane metro has failed us so many times to a point where the residents decided to connect illegal electricity cables from the poles. We have all agreed with the community members to illegally connect electricity, but to leave no wires on the ground for sake of the children.”
Ward councillor Joel Masilela sent his condolences to the family.
“The Tshwane metro will be visiting the family and help with the burial. A life has been cut short and we know electricity is needed and people must be patient,” said Masilela.
He urged residents of Phomolong to stop making illegal electricity connections.
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