Open power box kills Dale pupil

Family call for answers after play ends in tragedy

AGRADE 1 pupil from Dale College in King William’s Town was electrocuted after he tried to pull his slip slops from out of a rusty and unlocked electricity transformer.

Tenashe Luminathi Siwisa, grandson of well-known attorney Vusumzi Siwisa, was declared dead on arrival at a local doctor’s surgery on Friday.

Luminathi stayed at the college’s hostel and only went home on Fridays.

Vusumzi Siwisa, 67, said he dropped the boy at home but he was eager to go and play outside with friends.

“We wanted him to stay indoors but he slipped outside with his cousins. It wasn’t long before his cousins came rushing and told us that my grandson was shocked by electricity. “I’m very devastated.” The transformer is situated outside the yards in Zuurberg Street in the West Bank.

Luminathi’s devastated mother, Aphiwe Siwisa, accused Buffalo City Metro of putting the lives of children at risk.

“My son would still be alive if the municipality had maintained and kept that electricity box locked at all times. Those electricity boxes are safety hazards.”

Aphiwe, who works and stays in Port Elizabeth, was driving down to King William’s Town to see her son.

“We have been raising our concern with the municipality about a possible hazard of those run-down boxes in vain. Look at the results now. This is a wake up call at the expense of my only child.”

King William’s Town police have opened an inquest docket. Captain Siphokazi Mawisa said: “Police investigation continues.” The police have warned the public to be extra vigilant and the children who experienced the traumatic incident were given counseling.

BCM spokesman Sibusiso Cindi said losing a child was a traumatic experience.

He said the family was “in our thoughts and prayers”.

“Presently, BCM does not have all the facts regarding this matter at our disposal, but BCM will send its team to investigate what took place and compile a report which will explain who was liable for this incident and what sorts of steps must be taken.”

He blamed izinyoka for illegal electricity connections, particularly in informal settlements.

“In addressing these challenges, R15-million was committed to the electrification of informal settlements.

“In addition, we have invested more than R400-million into the development and upgrade of BCM’s bulk electricity infrastructure, over the past five years, allowing us to refurbish our switch houses, minisubstations, transformers and MV lines.

“Through our continued upgrading programme, we have upgraded our electrical infrastructure in King William’s Town, Breidbach, Woodbrook, West Bank, Wilsonia, Gompo, Zwelitsha, Buffalo Flats, Fort Jackson, Ilitha, as well as other areas in the Metro.” —