A court has ordered ZETDC to pay a paltry US$200 fine after a Murambinda man was electrocuted by exposed wire cables.
The tragic incident occurred on 3 March, 2022, in Murambinda, Manicaland Province. Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution and Transmission Company cables fell off the poles and dangled at a farm paddock.
Fifty-two-year-old Havatendi Kangetsambo was going about his duties at the farm the fateful afternoon two years ago. Since the cables had fallen off, he assumed they were not live.
The voltage of distribution lines, which people see in their neighbourhoods, is approximately 13 kV, which is 13,000 volts. A typical household needs between 220 and 240 volts in Zimbabwe.
When Havatendi encountered the exposed ZETDC distribution cables, which were live, he made contact. The power in the wires zapped him ruthlessly, and he died on the spot.
After the unfortunate d3ath due to negligence, ZETDC was dragged before a Murambinda Magistrate to answer to charges of culpable homicide.
The National Prosecuting Authority spoke on the court case and the resultant conviction of the power supplier:
“The Zimbabwe Electricity Distribution and Transmission Company was arraigned before the Murambinda Magistrates’ Court on culpable homicide charges. The charges emanate from an incident which happened on the 3rd of March 2022 at around 1500 hrs, wherein the now-deceased Havatendi Kangetsambo (52) was electrocuted by exposed wire cables at a farm paddock. He succumbed to the injuries and died on the spot.
The NPA revealed that the Murambinda Magistrates’ Court found ZETDC guilty of culpable homicide. However, it slapped the power company with a paltry US$200 fine for the death of the man.
Last year, ZESA paid over US$ 19,000 as compensation for damages after a 13-year-old boy was electrocuted by low-hanging exposed wire cables at his parents’ home in Penhalonga, Manicaland. The child had sustained severe electrical burns.
In January 2023, Anotida Tendai Mazadza (15) was electrocuted when she tried retrieving her shoes in flowing water in Warren Park. Neighbours believed a damaged underground ZESA cable caused the tragedy.
Source Iharare
