NELSPRUIT - Mpumalanga police management raised a call to community members to refrain from illegal electricity connections.

Tonga police has reported three deaths in relation to electrocution.

On Thursday, 09 February 2023, a 16-year-old female who was in company of her boyfriend lost her life. According to the victim's boyfriend, they were walking on the wet street at night when he suddenly saw his girlfriend falling. Police were summoned to the scene and found the victim lying on the pool of water and there were loose electric cables lying around her. She was certified dead by medical personnel on the scene.

In a separate incident in Block B, the deceased arrived home at about 17:00 when his sister informed him that there was an electric fault. He went to fix the problem, but the deceased's sister heard him screaming. She never took note until the deceased's friend came home looking for him. When the deceased's sister sent her younger sister to call him, she came back running and indicated that her brother was lying on the floor and not responding. She said she could only see him shaking. He was quickly rushed to hospital where he was certified dead.

A 36-year-old female from Gritana, Kamaqhekeza was working her field at home today, Monday 13 February 2023 at about 12:30 when her family members noticed something strange. She was taken to hospital with burn bruises on her arm. She was also certified dead by the doctor in hospital.

The fourth incident took place at Kamhlushwa today when a 12-year-old boy was sent to the neighbour's house. According to the deceased's father, the victim was seen by other people falling. When they went to inspect, they realised that he was electrocuted by illegally connected electric cables.

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela calls upon community members to refrain from illegal electricity connections as more lives might be lost.

Source: South African Police Service