By A Correspondent
Tragedy struck in Hlabiso Village, Rusitu, Chimanimani, on Wednesday, January 22, when two Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution (ZETDC) contract workers, including a teenager, were electrocuted while working on an electrical line.
The victims, identified as Givemore Maphosa and 15-year-old Mozambican national Erai Raimon from Mashiri Village in Maridheya, were performing repairs on a Lower Tension (LT) line connecting the Hlabiso main line to the Jozi homestead.
Acting Manicaland Provincial Police Spokesperson Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka , quoted by The Manica Post, explained the tragic incident.
“On January 22, around 7am, Givemore Maphosa and Erai Raimon, both general hand employees for Hidden Well Contractors, were tasked with repairing the LT line from Hlabiso main line to Jozi homestead, where a nine-metre electrical pole had fallen,” he said.
The two workers were under the supervision of their manager, Tawanda Matsatswa, at the time of the accident.
Chinyoka further revealed that the tragedy occurred because the manager had allegedly failed to ensure that the power supply to the line was switched off before the workers began their task.
“While digging a hole for the pole, their manager left to source additional manpower, but forgot to switch off the power supply from the main line,” Chinyoka explained. “Although there was an electricity blackout in the area at the time, power was restored while the two were still working on the LT line.”
When Matsatswa returned, he found the lifeless bodies of the two workers on the ground. “Upon Matsatswa’s return, he found the lifeless bodies of the two on the ground and immediately switched off the power at the main line,” Chinyoka added. “Matsatswa informed Mushayanembeu about the incident, who reported it to ZRP Chimanimani.”
Upon the arrival of law enforcement and ZETDC officials, they found that the two victims had sustained electrical burns on their hands and legs, and their bodies were still in contact with the power lines. “When ZRP Chimanimani and ZETDC officials arrived at the scene, they found evidence of electrical burns on the hands and legs of the deceased duo. Their bodies were still in contact with the power lines,” said Chinyoka. “The two bodies were taken to Chipinge District Hospital mortuary for a post-mortem.”
This tragic accident has once again highlighted the dangers faced by electrical workers and the critical importance of safety protocols to prevent such incidents.