By OBAKENG MAJE
The family of a learner, Letlhogonolo Moilwa (11) from Naledi Ya Masa Primary School in Ramotlhajwe village, near Zeerust in North West, urge Eskom to compensate them. This comes after Letlhogonolo, who was eight years at the time, was allegedly electrocuted by Eskom transformer outside the schoolyard back in 2019
Letlhogonolo’s mother, Elizabeth Moilwa said, her son was badly injured and was forced to be amputated on his feet.
“Letlhogonolo’s future has been shattered by Eskom transformer that was on the ground. Apparently, learners were supposed to be vaccinated and they decided to run away after seeing the injection.
“So, they ran outside the schoolyard, unfortunately, Letlhogonolo was not so lucky as he touched the transformer that was on the ground and then electrocuted,” she said.
Elizabeth said she received a phone call at around 1pm informing her about the incident.
“So, I rushed to the local clinic, and indeed, I found him in drips. The Eskom employees also came to see him before he was transferred to Moses Kotane Hospital. We slept at the hospital without getting any help.
“The following day, we were again transferred to the Job Shimankana Tabane Provincial Hospital in Rustenburg before being taken to Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital in Johannesburg, Gauteng,” said Elizabeth.
She alleged that, no one from the school ever visited them and never met with Eskom management to discuss the matter because the incident took place during COVID-19.
Elizabeth said, the incident has affected his son mentally because he sometimes leaves the house for days without any trace. She said, one day, Letlhogonolo left the house and went to sleep at a nearby dilapidated house for five days.
“I think the incident has affected him mentally, physically, and emotionally. He does not even play with other kids anymore. So, I urge Eskom to take responsibility including the school because the incident happened during school hours,” said Elizabeth.
However, the North West Department of Education spokesperson, Elias Malindi refuted the allegations and said the incident happened at around 3pm and 800m away from school premises.
“Yes, we can indicate that, as the department, we are aware of the incident. However, according to our school records, the incident happened after school at around 3pm.
“It also happened 800m away from the school premises. The school has been supporting the parents and also met with people that we could not mention in these interviews in a way of supporting the family,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Eskom Customer Relations Manager in North West, Ezekiel Baruti said: “We are not aware of the incident and we can only react after receiving the formal communication or claim from the family of the child.
“As soon as Eskom receives the formal claim from the affected family, we will then register it and appoint a team of experts to investigate the incident. “
Baruti further said, as soon as the report is received from the investigating team, a full formal legal investigation chaired by an external and independent chairperson will be commissioned. He added this will be a transparent legal investigation that includes all parties.
“The report of the legal independent team will also be shared with the family and subjected to all protocols and formalities. The family of the child will also be furnished with a requisite of a claim form and be directed on how to go about it.
The Guardian 