eMBALENHLE- A 35-year-old man was electrocuted on Tuesday, June 29.
According to community members, he was trying to switch on electricity from the transformer at Ext 19, Chris Hani section, eMbalenhle.
The deceased was one of several men in the township who, at a fee, will help residents switch their electricity back if it trips.
“In winter, especially after a bout of municipal load shedding, the electricity trips at specific houses. The man who died is one of those who climb up the poles and switches on the electricity. Sometimes he helps when a wire is loose,” a resident, who wants to remain anonymous, explained.
The residents said they make use of these people to help them because it takes the municipality too long to repair a problem.
“If you report an electrical fault to the municipality, it takes them up to a week to attend it, so these guys have stepladders and other equipment to assist us, but at a price,” said one of the residents who wanted to remain anonymous.
Residents who saw the man on the day said he came with a ladder and climbed the pole to the transformer.
They then saw an electric spark and the man fell down from the pole. He was shaking and instantly died.
Govan Mbeki Municipality’s leadership poured out their heartfelt condolences to the family, although the man was doing something illegal.
the municipality appealed to the residents not to tamper with the municipal infrastructure such as electricity, because they put their lives in danger.
Residents must report any electrical faults to their nearby office.
It is illegal for them to try to fix it themselves or to hire someone else because that person is not trained to work with electricity and he is not a registered service provider with the institution.
Constable Busi Mthethwa, eMbalenhle police spokesperson said they have opened an inquest into the incident.
