Three people electrocuted to death due to illegal connections

Police warned residents to refrain from using illegal electricity connections after three people lost their lives in separate incidents over the past weekend in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.

Gqeberha, SAPS spokesperson Captain Andre Beetge reported that an occupant in Couta Street, Kuyga, Greenbushes, heard dogs barking and went outside to investigate when she found a male tenant lying lifeless on the roof of his flat with wires in his hands, on Saturday.

“It is suspected that the 26-year-old was attempting to connect electricity to his flatlet when he was electrocuted. An inquest docket was opened and is being investigated by police in Kabega Park,” Beetge said.

According to SAPS, later that evening at about 21:00, a 24-year-old female in Rabie Village, Wells Estate allegedly touched an illegal connection while crouching and died from being electrocuted. Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident at Swartkops.

In another separate incident, that occurred in the early hours of Sunday, an 18-year-old girl allegedly stepped on an illegal connection and was electrocuted to death at Auburn Street, Booysens Park.

“One of the male friends attempted to help her, but after he was also shocked, he moved away. An inquest docket was opened and is being investigated by SAPS,” Beetge added.