Kimberley - The family of a four-year-old girl who was hospitalised after receiving an electric shock when she touched exposed wires on an electric pole, are pointing fingers at the Sol Plaatje Municipality.
Bonolo Oliphant was admitted to the Burn Unit of Kimberley Hospital following the incident on Sunday afternoon at around 4pm.
According to the child’s aunt, Cecilia Oliphant, community members in Maiteko Street in Bloemanda had reported the exposed electric wires several times to the municipality, who apparently checked the power box located on the corner of the street.
“We stay two houses from the electric box and the children usually play on the corner. We noticed that the rubber casing around the cable was torn and that the live wires were exposed. We explained to municipal workers that the exposed wires were a danger to our children but they failed to do anything about the situation,” said Oliphant.
She said that the incident happened when Bonolo was standing on the corner with her 10-year-old cousin.
“We were sitting outside the house and Bonolo went to stand with her cousin, Tshiamo, who was sitting on the electric box. We suddenly heard Bonolo screaming ‘mamma, mamma’. I saw her shaking and her hand was touching the cable and there were sparks flying from the cable.
“She could not move away from the pole and we shouted at Tshiamo to help her. He then pulled her away and the cable caught alight immediately. We ran to the top of the street as we were afraid the electric box would explode.”
Oliphant said that Bonolo was unable to utter a word and was screaming in pain.
“She was crying and showed us her hand when we asked her where it hurt. Her hand was blood-red but there were no visible injuries on her.”
Oliphant added that the switchboard operator thought that the child had died when they called for an ambulance.
“I told the woman on the other side of the line that we needed an ambulance as a child had been shocked by electric wires. She gave her condolences and a few minutes later the pathology van arrived, but then they realised that the child was still alive. They called for the ambulance, which rushed Bonolo to hospital.”
She said that the doctor told them that although Bonolo had no visible injuries, she had sustained internal injuries.
“The doctor asked whether she had already collapsed and we said she had not. He said that we could expect her to collapse due to the shock. She collapsed moments later and she was admitted to the Burn Unit of the hospital.”
Oliphant said that the family was very concerned because Bonolo had lost her ability to talk.
“I are worried about her regaining her speech. I pray that she will recover and be able to talk normally again.”
She indicated that the incident could have been avoided if the municipality had taken action earlier.
“I am very disappointed in the municipality. We alerted municipal workers to the situation but they did nothing about it. This incident is tragic and it is worrisome that the municipality first wants something to happen before they take action,” Oliphant said.
Municipal workers on Monday replaced the burnt cable.
They indicated that residents had suffered no electricity interruptions due to the repair work done on the cable and the box.
Sol Plaatje municipal spokesperson, Sello Matsie, expressed his shock at the incident.
“We will investigate the matter and it is sad that this has happened. We wish the injured child a speedy recovery,” said Matsie.
He added that vandalism was to blame for the incident.
“The most unfortunate part was that this was the result of vandalism. Much of the municipal infrastructure gets vandalised and those who cause it do not regard the safety of community members when they conduct such acts.
“Several traffic lights in the city are also not operating due vandalism. Other community members urinate on and inside electrical boxes with no regard to the consequences of their actions. In some instances, properties are vandalised within hours after being fixed. Exposed wires and open electric boxes are hazardous to children; and the mentality of our community members regarding vandalism needs to change,” said Matsie.