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“Whaydon was my only child and it has been very difficult for me since he died. I do not get any sleep at night because when I close my eyes all I see is my dead son lying on the couch. It is painful, but I have to be strong to plan my son’s funeral,” said Potberg.
His funeral will take place on November 28, at the New Apostolic Church in Jeffreys Bay.
Jessica Jacobs, Whaydon’s grandmother, said that in the past 10 years she had reported the open electrical wires in the area to the Kouga Municipality on multiple occasions.
“I worried about the other children in my neighbourhood playing in the street and possibly getting electrocuted. For this reason, it was so important for me to report this matter to the municipality,” said Jessica.
“Despite reporting the issue so many times, nothing was done about the open electrical wires and now my grandson has been electrocuted.”
According to Kouga Infrastructure and Engineering Portfolio Councillor, Bryan Dhludhlu, the municipality had previously received reports about the live electrical wires in the streets of Ocean View and had been made aware of Whaydon’s case.
Dhludhlu said on multiple occasions they attempted to remove the wires and opened cases against illegal connectors.
“All wires which were disconnected were reconnected in the evening. In addition, our staff was threatened, held hostage, and intimidated many times in these areas,” said Dhludhlu.
He further said the municipality had secured R3 million from the local council to remove the substation in Ocean View to disconnect the wires, which had already began.
“The illegal connectors totally destroyed the substation and threatened to burn it down if we cut the illegal connections. This substation provides electricity to about 5 000 residents,” said Dhludhlu.
He said the municipality plans to deal with the illegal electrical wires in the streets of Ocean View immediately.
“We have met with the SAPS to make use of the Public Order Policing Service and other assistance since our cases which were opened by the SAPS have not been investigated,” said Dhludhlu.
According to police spokesperson, Sergeant Majola Nkohli, a case was opened on November 18, and an inquest is being investigated after a five–year–old boy was allegedly shocked by an illegally connected electric wire next to the road in the informal settlement near Ocean View.
“The deceased was declared dead at the scene. The circumstances surrounding the incident are being investigated,” said Nkohli.
He further said a post–mortem was conducted on November 23, but the report is still outstanding.
Nkohli said the police are urging residents to refrain from illegal connections as they could cause electrocution.
He said illegal connections are usually unsafely constructed and do not have the required electrical protection.
Any person who comes across illegal connections is urged to report them to Eskom on 08600 37566, SMS Crime Line 32211 or contact Kouga Local Municipality on 042 200 2200.
