Electricity death warning

Silent death trap - it is believed the woman touched this open connection

Illegal connection ‘minefield’ claims woman’s life

Police attending to a death scene outside Empangeni on Tuesday were at first mystified as to the cause of the fatality. There were no apparent wounds or injuries, nor indications of a heart attack or stroke. However, on closer examination they noticed burn marks on the female victim’s fingers. This led to the discovery of an electricity ‘minefield’, with bare wires, illegal connections , tampering and overloaded plugs in evidence. In addition, the supply to the almost bare home near Owen Sithole College appeared to have been unlawfully drawing power from an Eskom electricity pole outside the house. City electrical officials expressed condolences at the sad loss of life, but said it showed once again that electricity was extremely dangerous and that all wiring should be legally connected and in good repair.