Samuel Molewa was electrocuted and died while replacing a faulty transformer at a farm in the Eiland area.
His colleagues say his untimely death came as a result of the municipality’s failure to provide them with protective clothing and essential personal protective equipment for electricians and their assistants.
They further said they are being forced to work under dangerous conditions without protective gear.
They say earlier this year they went on a go slow strike in a bid to force the municipality to provide them with proper uniforms but they only got ordinary work clothes.
In the latest turn of events, workers from the electrical department blockaded the entrance of the municipal power plant in the old industrial area until the Republic Monakedi came and promised to address their grievances as a matter of urgency.
Municipal spokesperson, Neville Ndlala dismissed Molewa’s colleague ‘s statement as untrue, saying the deceased was in full protective clothing when he accidentally came into contact with live electrical wires and electrocuted.
Ndlala said the municipality is conducting its own investigation to determine the cause of the accident.
He added that the police and the Department of Labour have launched separate investigations into the incident.
“We will inform the public of the outcome of the three investigations in line with the applicable laws and acceptable norms,” said Ndlala.
Ndlala said a memorial service will he held for Molewa on Thursday, November 24 at the Coach House Village at 11:00 while the funeral service will be held at the same place on Saturday, November 26, from 6:00.
In a related incident that occurred on Monday afternoon, a transformer at the Tarentaalrand power station exploded.
This lead to an emergency power cut from Letsitele to Tzaneen that lasted only 2 hours. The cause of the explosion was due to an oil leak, and not, as rumours suggested, another electrocution. Residents were informed ahead of time about the potential lopad shedding and the problem was speedily resolved.
