Mmotla was a Grade 3 learner at the said school. His heartbroken mother, Thembi Mmotla, says as a result of her son’s death, the pain she is feeling is unbearable.
Thembi said she blames the Midvaal Local Municipality for the occurrence.
Midvaal Zonal’s ANC Secretary, Philly Lefhugu, says the ANC Midvaal Zone and the community of Midvaal are deeply hurt, disappointed and touched by the manner in which Mmotla has died.
Lefhugu attributed Mmotla’s death to the failure of the Midvaal Municipality to deliver basic services in the area.
Lefhugu said that the people of Midvaal are suffering under the leadership of the Mayor, Cllr Bongani Baloyi.
Lefhugu alleged that the Mayor himself had in the 2014 financial year promised to deliver water and electricity to the Sicelo Informal Settlement.
The Mmotla family will be leaving for the Limpopo Province to lay Tabatso to rest.
MLM’s Spokesperson Simon Ratlhagane says, “MLM has been battling with the scourge of illegal connections for the past three years with very little success. Repeated efforts to effect removals using our own internal resources have not yielded results.
“We have of late contracted a private company (CPI) to assist us in that regard.” Ratlhagane added that illegal connections still continue despite temporary removals being affected on a monthly basis.
“The Municipality continues to lose two transformers per month at an estimated cost of R50 000 per transformer. The illegal connections in the area further poses major risks to the Midvaal Electrical Staff since the transformer boxes are always live and surrounded by illegal connections.
“Sources on the ground, show that people responsible for such connections are now operating a syndicate extorting as much as R500 per connection from the poor community.”
Ratlhagane said that apart from the financial impact, there is also a serious breach of safety to the residents.
“With the most recent loss of a minor, it has also been recorded from possible electrocution or lightning strike as per the investigation from ER24 as the first responders to the scene.
“We are planning to run a public awareness campaign highlighting the dangers posed by illegal connections.”
MLM through Ratlhagane conveyed their deepest sympathies to the family.
