Eskom goes on electricity safety roadshow

The parastatal says it is aware that many people get hurt as a result of using electricity incorrectly. 

Eskom's Khulu Phasiwe says they want to protect consumers.

''Sometimes you get people who connect electricity illegally and as a result [they and others] get hurt or even killed in the process,'' he said.

A three-year-old boy was killed by a live wire connected to a shack near Isipingo last month. 

However, Banele Gumede's mother Thuli feels a safety campaign would not have saved her son's life.

''I can't blame the community alone. They connect illegally because there's no alternative. If the area had electricity maybe my son would still be here. That area has been without electricity for 3 to 4 years now. No one can live like that," the mother said.

Yesterday marked the beginning of National Electricity Week.

(File photo: Gallo Images)