‘Snakes’ cost families their loved ones

Walking on the streets of Gwala’s Farm township in Tongaat is like walking in a war zone.

Only, instead of land mines there are live wires and cables from illegally connected electricity haphazardly criss-crossing roads and footpaths. They travel for more than a kilometre from Belgate, a neighbouring suburb, through a bush to hundreds of homes in the township.

The connections, which have largely been ignored by the Ethekwini municipality, have resulted in six deaths since January.

A pensioner in his 70s and a security guard in his 20s are among the victims.

One of the most recent deaths was that of 11-yearold Lungani Biyela, who was electrocuted when he tripped over a live wire outside his house. He died within minutes.

His cousin Philile Mathonsi said the residents call the illegal connections snakes, because they are lethal.

“The entire township lives in fear because of the snakes but what can we do? We do not have electricity. Like the shacks, even the recently built RDP houses have no power. We just have to keep praying that more people do not lose their lives before the municipality does something,” said Mathonsi.

Mathonsi said she fears for the lives of young children who are forced to jump over live wires on their way to school every day.

Her sentiments were echoed by ma’Mthembu, who has lived in Gwala’s Farm for over two decades.

Mthembu said she and her two daughters have also been been shocked by live wires but were lucky to survive the incidents.

“You would think that after 20 years of democracy people would not have to rely on illegal connections to get power but it is still happening,” said Mthembu.

Another resident, Emmanuel Sikhakhane said some people think they use illegally connected electricity because they do not want to pay for power.

“That assumption is an insult to us, just like they insulted us by building RDP houses without access to water and electricity. People think we are thieves but we are using stolen power because no one wants to install metres in our homes. The metro treats us like second rate citizens. They are aware of the snakes and dangers associated with them but they do not care because it is our own dying, not theirs,” said Sikhakhane.

Belgate resident Joan Govender said her neighbour’s dog was electrocuted recently and they are afraid their children might fall victim if things do not change.

“How many lives have to be lost before something is done?”

Ward councillor Michael Abraham said Ethekwini’s head of electricity, Sandile Maphumulo recently visited Gwala’s Farm to survey the land before electricity poles are installed.

“The Mbhayi area is also having the same problem of illegal connections and we need to act fast before any more lives are lost. Engineers are designing the new poles and we expect to start installing electricity in people’s homes by July,” said Abraham.

He also extended his condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones because of the illegal connections. Attempts to get comments from Eskom were unsuccessful.