Cable Theft Leaves Live Wires Exposed in Joburg, 2 Children Fatally Electrocuted

Sunday, October 31, 2021 at 9:37 PM by Naomi Kobbie

At least two children have died after being electrocuted by exposed wires in the City of Johannesburg
According to police, illegal electricity connections may have contributed to the children's untimely deaths
One City spokesperson says at least 21 electrocutions have happened in the last 2 years

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Two children, aged 3 and 5-years-old, have been fatally electrocuted at an informal settlement near Cleveland in Johannesburg.

Children, Electrocuted, Johannesburg, City Power — Two children, aged 3 and 5-years-old, have been fatally electrocuted in Johannesburg. Image: Getty
Source: Getty Images

It's suspected the children were playing near exposed wires before being struck by the chords. The Mangolongolo Informal Settlement is a known hot-spot for electricity theft and police are warning suspects to stop the illegal activity, eNCA reports.

The loss of lives and loss of revenue to power utilities due to illegal electricity connections has caused a huge problem in the city.

Pietermaritzburg man dies after being mugged in broad daylight for cell phone

In more crime news, Briefly News previously reported that Westley Dye was assaulted in broad daylight on Monday, 25 October in Pietermaritzburg. He was stabbed multiple times by alleged thieves.

The only thing taken from him was his cell phone, his mom later posted on Facebook that her son had died.

She called on any witnesses to come forward to help arrest the men who took her son's life.

The Witness reported that a woman did see the attack, she said it was traumatic for her and her seven-year-old grandson. She described how Westley was stabbed at least two times, once in the back and once in the stomach before the thieves fled with his cell phone.