GEORGE NEWS - Police have opened an inquest docket after a child was electrocuted in Thembalethu, Zone 9, on Wednesday 12 April.
According to a press statement by George Municipality, the incident occurred late in the afternoon due to an illegally connected wire. A case of infrastructure damage and theft has also been opened by the municipality.
The municipality has been unable to establish contact with the parents of the deceased child.
Portfolio Councilor (MMC) for Electrotechnical Services Nosicelo Mbete said that the department is saddened by this latest incident.
“The loss of a young life is so unnecessary, we cannot overemphasise the dangers attached to illegal connections. Any kind of electricity ‘tapping’, no matter how small or innocent-looking, is illegal and dangerous,” she said.
An operation to remove illegal connections took place in this specific area on 29 March this year. Such operations are undertaken on a regular basis to increase community safety.
The municipality says in its statement that it will continue to act decisively in such matters, as the practice of making illegal connections puts the perpetrator in danger of electrocution, risking injury and death to themselves as well as the rest of the community. These connections lie across pathways and walkways where anyone passing can easily be electrocuted.
The municipality has also allocated R10,5m of its own funds into the electrification of informal settlements, and these projects are well underway - including a pilot project using renewable energy.
An electricity connection is considered illegal when it is connected to the municipal network without the organisation’s permission. Wires are connected to a mini-substation or overhead pole. The forms of electricity theft include illegal connections, illegal electrification schemes and meter tampering and bypassing. These illegal electrical thefts occur mostly in areas where illegal informal structures are built.
“Where people have connected themselves illegally, George Municipality will continue to actively find the perpetrators and lay criminal charges against them,” reads the statement. “In terms of the Criminal Procedures Act, interference with and the damage to municipal property could be regarded as sabotage and should someone be found guilty of such an offence, a maximum term of imprisonment of 30 years can follow.”
Illegal connections should be reported to 044 803 9222 or 044 801 9222 or after hours on 044 801 6300.
George Municipality offers a reward for information that leads to the successful conviction of electrical theft and /vandalism in a court of law.
The witness will have to go on record to the authorities, giving his/her name and contact details to testify, but his/her identity will be protected. To be eligible for the reward, report illegal connections to 0860 044 044.
Photos: Supplied
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