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Nthabiseng Mashilwane, the aunt of Portia Rampuma, stands at the spot where the girl was electrocuted in Klipspruit Extension 2. Photo: Itumeleng English
Nine-year-old Portia Rampuma wanted to surprise her hard-working mother with a loaf of bread – the first she had baked all by herself.
But she never got to see the proud look on her mother’s face when she arrived home, because Portia was electrocuted outside her home in Klipspruit Extension 2 on Monday afternoon.
According to her distraught aunt, Nthabiseng Mashilwane, Portia had been outside and was walking back towards the house on the little path at around 5.45pm.
“That day, it had been raining hard in the afternoon. As she walked back, she must have held onto the steel pole which held up the wire fence around the yard. But there was an uncovered electricity cable hanging around the fence and she fell on her back,” she said.
When neighbours rushed to her assistance, Portia’s mouth was foaming and her right hand still held on to the pole.
The illegally connected electrical cable that led to her death was used by houses near her home.
Since people in the area moved into the RDP houses seven years ago, they have been without an electricity supply. So residents struck a deal with people living at the Nancefield hostels behind their homes to share their electricity, for a minimal fee.
Using the illegal electricity connections they get from the hostel is much cheaper than buying paraffin or candles.
“It is painful for us because we were trying to help ourselves, and this happens… Now we have lost a child who won’t come back,” Mashilwane said.
Portia’s ashen-faced mother Lebohang
, who has two younger daughters, said: “We have new electricity poles that were put up last month, but we were promised electricity years ago. Our councillor told us that roads would be built and electricity would be connected, but to this day we still have none of those.
“Sewerage comes in from the back of our yards, we have no fences, so we have to make our own wire fences, and now my child has died because of this.”
Community leader Sam Taraga added: “We’ve been writing letters to the council about us not having electricity supply. We got a response that we would have supply by April, but it’s all happening so slowly.”
Lebohang was deeply moved by Portia’s bread gesture, saying: “Yesterday (Wednesday) we ate the bread she made. And she did it so well, she didn’t put too much or too little of anything. It was perfect.” - The Star
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FreeGuy, wrote
Where is eskom with solar panels already??? Spend my tax-rands to better our world please...
Anonymous, wrote
SS, wrote
Our children are our most precious gifts and yet due to corruption and no service delivery they often end up paying the price.
LK, wrote
Aleonora....I hope no - one will ever have to tell you, you let your daughter get into a car with a drunken driver; she dies 'so now suffer'. Pretty much the same, hey? Happens every day, hey? easy to judge. For a nine year old. You are one very sick person. Hope you never have to go through that for a little one who is to immature and young to know any better. But then you can alway blame breweries, hey? Because drinking and driving is just as illigal as connecting illegal electricity. Only difference is - more children die because of alcahol then illegal connections. Strange old world, hey?
laura, wrote
And you still vote ANC? and tonight all they care about is what they are wearing to the opening of cabinet? fashion show vs no electricity? well duh, of course fashion show!!
Aleonora Barini, wrote
Do you honestly believe that your government cares, look at zuma and all his cabinet enriching themselves million rand homes overseas trips clothes for all his wives etc etc they don't care ,but you all voted for the ANC so now suffer
eish, wrote
"Act of love" ? Has IOL gone bonkers? This is about electricity theft and the dangers that go with it. WTF?!
Mellow, wrote
@John,You must be an insensitive and stupid moron who cannot comment properly.So stop wasting the precious oxygen that we need to breathe and go electrocute yourself.Stupid moron!
The Graduate, wrote
Not afraid, wrote
I get amazed that some of these comments make it pass the editing desk to be published on articles that are as sensitive as this, i know that people have freedom of speech but come on iol a kid died here and in a very sad and unfortunate way... screen comments before you post them. and be sensitive to the family involved. @john... a comment like that should go straight into recycle bin... @LK i commend you for your humanitarian nature. Big Ups to you.
pete, wrote
I agree with john. Sorry but stealing electricity like this is illegal, running open electrical cables through the area, was done by the comunity. They know kids walk and play in the area but yet the still did it. By saying someone is racist because he used the comment "them" is childish.
Anonymous, wrote
Steal electricity and that what happens! the taxpayers fork out every month to pay for electricity used by these informal settlements who don't pay a cent! Eskom tells us to stop using so much electicity, I say stop the illegal tapping-off of our electricity. As for the chancellor, vote ANC = Get NOTHING!!!
Tshepi, wrote
why must it always be about race....i'm ashed of all the racist comments on this website..I'm proudly black but I do not hate white I treat you with respect the way you would want to be treated , crime is affecting all of us, can we move on from this apartheid is so long gone ...we need to focus on the future...poverty is black and yes it is happening a lot in black communities and I urge all the rich white and black people to help as the goverment has failed it's people ....let us be be human .my sincere condolences goes out to the litle gal's family ...
LK, wrote
Karen..... I also never knew ONE person who died during the dark days of apartheid or who died in the world trade centre for that matter. You know what? I did not shout my head off and go mad ammeadiately - I reflected on the victims - what they must have gone through as parents, brothers, sisters, etc. Your arrogance obviously does not allow you time out to reflect on these thins. Wierd. But we are not all the same. Likewise following you insensitive comments re VA blog of yesterday brought a smile to my face. Time for you, Karen, to grow up and understand there are other people beside you. I wish you the best and certainly hope and prey you do not have personal tragedy in your life. You see, if you do, there will always be someone to blame. Thats life.
LK, wrote
Karen...YES - REFLECT ON HER LIFE AND THE CIRCUMSTANCES SURROUNDING HER DEATH. IS THAT DIFFICULT? I NEVER EVER SAID ANY ONE KNEW HER. SIMPLY REFLECT ON WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN. GET IT? IN MUCH THE SAME WAY I REFLECT ON ANY OTHER TRAGIC AVOIDABLE DEATH BE IT ROAD ACCIDENTS, RAPE AND MURDER, ETC, ETC.GET OFF YOUR BLOODY HIGH HORSE AND STOP BEING ACTING LIKE A SPOILT BRATB WHICH I GUARANTEE YOU ARE. GO BLEAT ELSEWHERE.
LK, wrote
You know what John - I have refrained from insulting on this blog today - see my previous comments. Get stuffed racist pig. And let make one thing clear - very clear - lot's leaves to be desired in this jumbled up country of ours but instead of your sodding personal insults rather offer condolences.Nothing will bring back this child. Now make sure you put the pool net on, make sure your pink foot fastens his seat belt, make sure he looks left or right, beware of the Rottie - get it? Don't come with sh** 'serves them right' Who the f*k is them? An innocent nine year old?
Anonymous, wrote
@john... Excuse my French but you are such an ignorant F****** piece of sh*t...How can you say it serves them right for stealing electricity? This is a child, not a grown man stealing cables. If only i could jump through my pc and strangle you while you sit behind your desk in your cozy little office, typing stupid comments on IOL
Shawl, wrote
COyZAn, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
When will people realise that they have a choice to change things with their vote! May this little girl rest in peace and I hope the government compensates this mother, even though it will never bring back her child, for their broken promises. How much more would it cost to put up the infrastructure for electricity than for the lavish political conferences and parties, and cars etc.... ridiculous!
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