The Tshwane Council’s refusal or inability to control the rapid spreading of illegal shacks being erected in Itireleng and beyond, (West of Laudium), has resulted in the area becoming volatile, with health and safety issues in a crisis.
The area, which extends into Atteridgeville has a population of about 30,000, living in shacks, many of whom are foreigners, unemployed and at times do not even have one meal for the day. It is also becoming a ‘free for all’ zone, whereby thugs easily pounce on innocent victims, as police are even afraid to patrol the areas. There are no proper basic amenities such as clean water and sewerage for all, nor are rubbish collection bins available for all the residents living there. The area also poses a serious electrical danger to both adults and children, as it has become a minefield of live electrical wires, seen hanging around all over, being deadly booby traps, as many residents resort to illegal electric connections, tapping from the council’s supply to common lighting in some of the areas.
The reality of the danger posed in the area was once more felt with much sadness, after the death of yet another child, who was electrocuted after touching some live wires, which were illegal electric connections. Last week, an 8 year old boy from Itireleng, Prince Ramoadi, was to walk from his mum’s home, in the ‘Hills’ area of Itireleng to his grandmother’s place also in Itireleng, when he got electrocuted on his way, by live illegal electrical wires that were hanging on a fence.
Tearful granny, Mariam Skosana, told the Laudium Sun, “On Monday at around 1pm, I was at home with the kids I take care of, because I have a daycare centre, Kaolostlo, which I run. That afternoon I didn’t see Prince because he was at home with his mother at their home, also in Itireleng. I then got a call from Prince’s mother, saying Prince was on his way to me to get something for her. I waited, but Prince didn’t show up. So I thought he must have been playing somewhere again on his way to me, because he was a very playful child. At around 3pm, Prince’s uncle, his mother’s brother, came running to me, shouting, ‘ouma ouma, come Prince is dead’. I was in shock, I thought it was a dream. Eventually I got to my senses and went with his uncle and when I got to the area known as the ‘Hills’ which is deeper in Itireleng, I saw Prince laying on the floor. According to the paramedics Prince died due to electric shock. He was shocked in his face first, then right through the body. I was shown live wires near a fence which Prince touched. His death is the hardest thing I ever had to deal with. Prince was such a bubbly and helpful child, who I depended on. I looked at him as a child who’s going to have a bright future and who would one day look after us. He always told me, ‘ouma, when I’m big, I’m going to buy you a big house and I’m also going to buy myself a car, so if you want to go to the shops, I will take you.’ My heart is shattered to lose such a young grandson. Prince was a responsible child. He knew the dangerous condition of how we live in Itireleng, so I don’t know how he touched those electric wires. I’m going to miss my Prince so much, no one will ever know my pain.”
Granny Mariam concluded with a message to all parents in Itireleng, “Please keep an eye on all your children all the time and keep them safe. Make sure they have your attention all the time. We lost 2 other kids with poison by just eating oranges, now Prince. Please people take care of our children.”
Councillor Naeem Patel told the Laudium Sun, “It is with much sadness that I learnt of the tragedy of young Prince, who was electrocuted in Itireleng, after touching live electric wires, that were hanging openly due to an illegal connection. I have been urging the council to find a solution to stop this problem, which is rampant in the area. The area is like a mine field, with live connections all over the place. This is not safe for anyone and I am making it a priority to rid the area of all illegal electrical connections. We cannot allow our future generation to be destroyed by this type of illegal activity. A family lost a future breadwinner because of these illegal connections. I visited the family on two occasions during the past week to pay my respects and it was completely heartbreaking to see how shattered the grandmother is. My deepest sympathy and condolences to the family.” Itereleng falls under the same ward as Laudium and Erasmia; Ward 61.
*The funeral of Prince will take place on Saturday, in Limpopo.
