Case of girl electrocuted at bus terminal to be heard in high court
Nearly two years after the death of Miliswa Luxande (12), the case relating to her death was referred to the Polokwane High Court by the National Prosecuting Agency.
POLOKWANE – Miliswa was electrocuted on 19 May 2016 at a municipal bus terminal next to her school in Grobler Street after she reportedly stepped on live electricity wires left uncovered by contractors at the terminal.
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She was the only child of Mvuyisi and Phoebe Luxande.
At the time of the incident, Polokwane Mayor, Thembi Nkadimeng, took full responsibility for the incident on behalf of the municipality.
Read more: Girl (12) electrocuted; muni ‘sorry’
She attended a memorial service and visited the parents at their home once.
Nearly two years down the line the case has not yet been resolved. The parents said the municipality has done nothing to assist them, nor contributed towards funeral costs when Miliswa was buried in Mthatha.
“The only person who assisted was one of the contractors who contributed money to help cover her funeral costs. He said he did not want to buy us off, but he wanted to assist. We accepted. Who takes out a funeral plan for a child? We are simple people who lead a simple life and did all we could to give our daughter a good life and everything she needed.
“I struggled to conceive and she was my only child. The house is empty, my life is empty. I spent the first week when the schools re-opened this year crying. She would have been 14 and in Gr 8 this year. I still haven’t gotten closure,” Phoebe said.
Miliswa’s parents said the painful part is that the municipality is doing nothing after taking responsibility. “That is why we are going to the high court.”
Mvuyisi commended the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) for the assistance and regular feedback he received from them, as he feels other entities involved are dragging their feet.
“Money won’t bring her back, it cannot buy a human life, but I don’t want this to happen to another child. I wouldn’t wish this pain on my worst enemy. I want this case to be finalised so we can get closure,” Phoebe said.
The case has been referred to the Department of Labour, according to the Municipal Spokesperson, Matshidiso Mothapo.
A confidential source within the Department of Labour told Review they have completed their report, which has been sent to the National Prosecuting Agency, who in turn raised certain questions and referred the questions to the police to investigate and open a docket.
“The corrections were done to the report and the police are now to make sure the case is expedited,” the source revealed.
Mvuyisi confirmed that all is set and ready to take the case to the high court.
