Man electrocuted from 11 000 volt substation

A suspected cable thief has been burnt to death trying to steal electrical cables in Flora Park, Mokopane.

Mogalakwena Local Municipality electrical services manager, Johan Fourie, said on Tuesday 7 August the suspected cable thief died after he was electrocuted in a miniature substation.

He said the suspect must have got access to the 11 000 volt compartment by breaking the lock, which was found damaged next to the scene.

On arrival at the scene, Fourie said he found emergency services trying to stabilise the injured man, after he was removed from underneath the switchgear in the compartment of the miniature
substation.

The municipality said in a statement that a piece of reinforcing steel was found on the scene, with which it was suspected the deceased tried to get access to the cable, creating a short
circuit between the 11000 Volt cable, and the earth mass.

“The public is urged to refrain from going into or fiddle in electrical meter boxes, electrical miniature and major substations as well as other electrical equipment such as underground
cables, or overhead powerlines,” Fourie warned.

Mogalakwena Mayor, Andrina Matsemela, said it was sad that a life was lost while someone was trying to steal electrical cables.

— The BEAT