By Everson Luhanga
Tilo Steven Nakeli, as his name appears on his half-burnt identity document, died at the scene after he was electrocuted on Tuesday in Roodepoort.
The Johannesburg City Power officials found the ID after Tilo’s clothes were ripped off his body by the power of the electrical shock.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said City Power employees found the body of a man burnt beyond recognition inside the mechanical switching station when they reported for duty. The matter is under investigation.
Mangena said City Power teams have been working to restore electricity supply to customers in Roodepoort who are affected by an outage caused by severe damage to the switching station.
“This follows an attempted theft and vandalism at the switching station where the suspect also lost his life,” said Mangena.
“The damage to the infrastructure resulted in City Power deciding to relocate the station to the Sentraal substation where affected customers will be supplied from.”
He said on Wednesday, after the Department of Labour cleared the site, the City’s power utility began with operations which included laying 11 cables, installing five ring main units (RMUs) and 19 joints, and termination points.
“Due to the extensive work involved, the utility estimates to complete operations and restore supply to customers by Friday.
“City Power anticipates beginning with testing during the day. Until all tests are clear the restoration process will be affected,” he added.
He said the outage has left residents of Florida Lake, Hamberg, Creswell Park, Georginia South, Rand Leases, Esperanza, Florida Lake Park, Vogelstruisfontein, and Rand Leases without supply. He said City Power is committed to restoring supply as soon as they can.
Mangena said the local power utility urged communities to partner with it in fighting electricity-related crimes which, like in this case, interfere with the supply of electricity.
Pictured above: A burnt ID document found in the pair of trousers of a man who died after tampering with electricity in Roodepoort.
Image source: Isaac Mangena/City Power
