The incidents happened on January 3 and 4 respectively. The toddler is in extreme pain and fighting for her life at Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging.

The 32-year-old mother of three, Nolithanba Photoloama, said her semi-disabled daughter Leema was playing outside her shack with friends when she was shocked by illegaly connected cables.

This was after the heavy rains had stopped. She was taken to a local clinic after the first incident and the nurses referred her to hospital but the mother did not have money for transport. “I had to wait for three days to receive social grants,” she said.

Feeling ‘better’ the following day the child went outside in the yard to play.She was shocked by another live cable. Leema was brought home crying and in serious pain. <

Sedibeng Ster took a drive in the area and at first hand saw dangerous electricity wire cables on the ground. Children were playing innocently, not aware of the danger they faced.

Most of the nearby households have bridged electricity. They allegedly share with the community members living in the nearby shacks. Rumour has it that twenty shacks are connected into one house with each shack owner paying R350 per month for the supply.

Residents said they have tried in vain to approach service provider Eskom to conduct investigations without success. During the festive season a dog died after being electrocuted and two people were also shocked.