A mother of four children was electrocuted when she stepped on live wires in Zwelihle.
Nokuthula Manekwana (43) was on her way home on Sunday 1 May when the incident occurred near Peach House, close to Dubai informal settlement where illegal electrical connections are rife.
Nokuthula’s brother Sicelo Manekwana said when he arrived at the scene a large crowd had already gathered to see what had happened.
“I didn’t know if she was dead or alive,” he said, the emotion self-evident. “She was burnt badly. My heart just broke when a paramedic came to tell me that she had passed away.”
Sicelo’s life has been turned upside down by the incident. He now has to care for his sister’s four children. “The little ones don’t understand yet what happened, but her son who is 17 is heartbroken,” he said.
Sicelo has the added burden of trying to get enough funds to bury his sister in the Eastern Cape. “I have no money and will probably have to make a loan,” he stated.
Captain Fadila September, spokesperson for the Hermanus Police, reports that the police were called to the scene at approximately 15:35 on Sunday 1 May. “On their arrival the officials found the body of a 43-year old woman who was declared deceased on the scene,” she said. “A post mortem was conducted.”
This is not the first time a life was lost due to illegal electrical connections in Zwelihle. A 4-year-old boy’s life was tragically cut short on 9 May 2021, when he was electrocuted after coming into contact with live wires in Chris Hani Street.
A similar incident occurred in Peach House, Zwelihle on 10 October 2020. A little boy was taken to hospital for treatment after being shocked by live illegal electrical wiring.
Illegal connections have been an ongoing problem for certain residents of Zwelihle who are often left without power for days as a result of the system being overloaded due to the numerous illegal electrical connections.
Overstrand Municipality did not respond to requests for comment at the time of going to print.
Anyone who can assist Sicelo with the cost of the funeral can contact him on 078 115 8272.