When Siyadumisa Mbombo saw his five-year-old daughter in the deathly grip of an illegal electrical connection, he didn’t hesitate.
Siya rushed to her aid and managed to free her from the live cables but he was electrocuted and died. His daughter, Lekeysha Meyer, was seriously injured and is recovering in the Dora Nginza Hospital in Gqeberha.
The incident occurred on Saturday in the Vastrap informal settlement in Booysen Park, Gqeberha.
Mercy Meyer, Siya’s partner and the mother of his children, said she had been caught up in grief, gratitude and worry since the incident.
“I am grateful for our daughter’s second chance at life, but the cost was too high. Siya died a hero, saving our little one. His bravery is both a source of pride and a terrible reminder of the space he leaves behind,” she said.
Mercy, who had been in a relationship with Siya for the past seven years, said Lekeysha had been playing on a pile of sand with two friends in an open field next to their neighbour’s house.
She and Siya were alerted to the horrific incident by one of their daughter’s friends shortly after 2 pm on Saturday.
“We just saw Lekeysha shaking with the wires around her,” Mercy said. “Siya grabbed the cable with his bare hands and that’s when he started shaking as well.”
Siya’s brother, Xolisa, 31, said the image of his brother and his daughter being electrocuted lingers in his mind.
“I saw how my brother tried to save her. It was not a nice picture. Both of them were shaking,” he said, as tears filled his eyes.
Eastern Cape police spokesperson Captain Sandra Janse van Rensburg said an inquest docket was under investigation.
“I can confirm that his death was reported to Chatty police [in Bethelsdorp]. No foul play is suspected.”
Pictured above: Hero dad Siyadumisa Mbombo.
Image Source: Supplied
