Man electrocuted during cable theft

Warning: Story may disturb sensitive readers

Pictures not for sensitive viewers and should not be opened in view of children

A 25 year old man had a lucky escape after being electrocuted while allegedly stealing electricity cables at Umlazi Z section, south of Durban.

Unemployed Siyanda Zulu at first pretended to be working at an open space where residential utility poles are located. During the process of cutting cables, residents interrogated him. He replied, “I am doing my job and I am assigned here to work here”. Neighbours were not convinced, and continued with their questions, asking him which company he works for. Eventually, he said, “Zenzele Electricity Company”.

“I AM DOING MY JOB AND I AM ASSIGNED HERE TO WORK HERE”

This occurred during scheduled load shedding. While in the process of cutting cables, electricity returned and unfortunately, he was electrocuted. His skin immediately began peeling, exposing raw flesh. Community members stood in horror at what has just unfolded. “I don’t think I will be able to sleep, everything happened so fast and I was shocked to see Siyanda’s skin peeling off, it was like a movie scene playing live,” said Alwande one of the residents who saw present in the scene.

Community members were ready to take the law into their owns hands, however the police were contacted and arrived within minutes, preventing the vigilantism. “He is lucky police came in time because when are we going to get the cables fixed someone of us will be in the dark because of this selfish man who don’t consider our feeling, my daughter is 3 weeks my wife and i will have to boil water to make her food (milk) now we have to knock door to door to get warm water,” said Mlungisi Thabethe who is fuming.

He is lucky Police came in time

A few hours later, Detective Dumakude from the Umlazi police station, came to update the community. Her said, “There is no company called Zenzele. Siyanda confessed that he was taking chances.  This is what he does, he and his friends normally go to different areas and cut cables claiming that they work for a specific electricity company and sometimes they wear municipality uniforms.

The suspect is currently in hospital under police custody. He is expected to appear in court on charges of trespassing and theft with intent to cause malicious damage to property once he recovers.