11 November proved to be a busy day for emergency responders and City Power. In the late afternoon, City Power is reported to have received a call from Emergency Control SA (ECSA) after a man was found dead, his body entangled in electric wires in the veld near the Princess squatter camp.
It is thought that the man was electrocuted by illegal connections in the area. The area where he was found has no electricity, so people have illegally connected to the City Power network in order to get power.
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According to City Power, a second incident involved an unidentified man who was killed while attempting to paint City Power’s High Voltage Chamber (HVC) in a factory situated in Heriotdale, near George Goch, east of Johannesburg.
It has been reported that the man was one of two employees working in the factory who had illegally entered the HVC at about 9.30am. They were allegedly instructed by the company owner to paint the chamber without the authorisation of City Power. The deceased is believed to have been caught between high voltage equipment that electrocuted him. He was certified dead on the scene by paramedics. His colleague however, was thrown out of the chamber by the electric force and was taken to hospital with serious injuries. City Power was notified of this incident after the supplying substation tripped from the event.
“The police are involved in both cases, and City Power will give them the necessary support needed in their investigations,” said Isaac Mangena, City Power spokesperson.
More information on the incident which occurred in Princess will be published if and when it becomes available.
