Woman and Child Tragically Lose Their Lives after being Electrocuted

The weekend started badly in the Swappo community, Copesville, Pietermaritzburg, following the death of a twenty-year-old woman and her one-year-old child.

The incident reportedly occurred on Friday afternoon when heavy rains began. Ms Makhothanetsi Moeketsi (20) was electrocuted while washing clothes. When she fell, her child Tlaniso Moeketsi (1) crawled over to her, touched her, and was also electrocuted, dying.

It is reported that neighbours were also electrocuted while trying to cut a wire that was allegedly tied to another shack. An electrical wire was said to have come loose, touching the roof of the house, to which the washing line was connected.

It is said that the lack of electricity in the area is forcing people to resort to using their own devices.
Mr Kopano Molefe, who also survived the electrocution while trying to help, says he has still not fully recovered from the electrocution he suffered while helping.

He says the woman and her family were tenants of theirs. He says on the day of the incident, the deceased had just finished washing clothes and was seen hanging them on the line. 

“The line she was seen using was tied to another shack. We suspect that an electric wire had touched the shack because when she touched the line, she got electrocuted and fell to the ground holding it. Her child, when she saw her fall, came closer to her and also got electrocuted and died on the spot.

“Neighbors tried to come out to help, but they also got electrocuted. Then they came to our house to seek help, and we tried to help. I ended up getting electrocuted but our friend managed to cut the live wire.“We think that the bad weather also played a role in this,” he said.

A police spokesperson was not available at the time of going to press.