Heroic dad electrocuted while trying to save child, 5
Daughter recovering in hospital after tragedy caused by illegal electrical connection in Booysen Park
‘I am grateful for our daughter’s second chance at life, but the cost was high. Siya died a hero, saving our little one’
When Siyadumisa Mbombo saw his five-year-old daughter shaking uncontrollably in the terrifying grip of an illegal electrical connection, he did not hesitate to rush to her aid.
But Mbombo’s desperate bid to rescue little Lekeysha Meyer came at the ultimate price — his own life.
And though the father of two did not survive the ordeal, which occurred in the Vastrap informal settlement in Booysen Park at the weekend, he was hailed as a hero.
As Lekeysha recovers in hospital, awaiting further tests, the impact of her father’s courageous act lingers.
“I don’t feel like a human being at the moment,” Lekeysha’s mother, Mercy Meyer, said.
“My heart is shattered. “My partner, Siya, heroically sacrificed himself to save our daughter from this terrible accident.
“I am numb and struggling to find the right words to describe what I am going through.”
Meyer, who had been in a relationship with Mbombo for the past seven years, said Lekeysha had been playing on a pile of sand with two friends in an open field next to their neighbour’s house.
The horror unfolded shortly after 2pm on Saturday.
“The next moment, we just heard someone screaming and then one of her friends came running to us, saying there was something wrong with Lekeysha.
“We ran to her.
“Siya was so quick.
“We just saw Lekeysha shaking with the wires around her.
“He grabbed the cable with his bare hands and that’s when he started shaking.”
Meyer said she started screaming in sheer terror, pleading for help.
“Community members rushed over to help us.”
Lekeysha was rushed to Livingstone Hospital and later transferred to Dora Nginza.
“Siya didn’t make it, unfortunately.”
Meyer said Lekeysha was on the road to recovery.
“Our daughter is thankfully out of the intensive care unit,” she said.
“The doctors are conducting scans today [yesterday] to determine if the electrical shock had any impact on her precious little brain.
“She’s resilient, just like her daddy.
“The doctors assured me she will be OK, but the uncertainty is too much.”
Meyer said Mbombo’s death had left a deep void.
“I am grateful for our daughter’s second chance at life, but the cost was high.
“Siya died a hero, saving our little one.
“His bravery is both a source of pride and a terrible reminder of the hole he leaves behind.”
Meyer said since the incident she had been caught up in a combination of grief, gratitude and worry.
“I ache for Siya and yearn for a way to ease our daughter’s pain.
“But I need to be strong for our two children.”
Meyer’s father, Roland, said the family demanded justice.
“There are a lot of cables here,” he said.
“Justice needs to prevail. “It can’t go on like this — the municipality must do something about it.
“My granddaughter was injured and her father didn’t survive as a result.
“As a family, we are heartbroken and ask for nothing but justice.”
Roland said they had received a huge outpouring of support.
“The community and political organisations have visited us to offer assistance.
“We are truly grateful for that.”
Mbombo’s brother, Xolisa, 31, said he was struggling to come to terms with what had happened.
“I was there when a child told us Lekeysha had got shocked.
“I saw how my brother tried to save her.
“It was not a nice picture. “Both of them were shaking. “They looked like fish that had been taken out of water,” he said, as his eyes welled up.
“My brother was such a good man, kind and humble.
“He worked extremely hard and was the nicest person ever.”
Intercape said Mbombo had worked for them for a year.
“He started as a ‘checker in’, someone who placed luggage stickers on our passengers’ bags,” a spokesperson for the bus company said in a statement.
“Siya wanted to grow within Intercape and took the initiative to learn the business.
“He soon added value within the [Gqeberha] team by starting to make passenger bookings and doing headcounts on our coaches.”
Intercape said in September he was promoted to sales consultant, where he started off opening a new Intercape sales office in Kariega.
“He did good work, taking the new office from strength to strength.
“He eventually grew the office complement and trained his staff the way he was taught to make the Intercape office a success.
“Siyadumisa will be missed at Intercape for his positive role within the business and his good work ethic.
“Our prayers are with his wife and daughter during this tough time.
“Thank you, Siyadumisa Mbombo, for being part of the Intercape family.
“Your legacy lives on.” Earlier this month, another child was shocked in the same area, resulting in the loss of a toe.
Yesterday morning, there were numerous exposed electricity cables throughout the area where the incident occurred at the weekend.
Community members emphasised the urgent need to secure open connections and eliminate illegal electrical connections.
Mayor Gary van Niekerk said he was aware of the incident, and was engaged in talks with the electricity and energy directorate in a bid to clear the area of illegal connections.
“Our sincerest condolences to the family and community,” he said.
Police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said an inquest docket was under investigation.
“I can confirm that his death was reported to Chatty police.
“No foul play is suspected.”