POLITICS

"Death of Baby Perfect" - Daily Sun

"Izinyoka wires electrocute toddler learning to walk!" - front page lead, September 17 2014

Daily Sun (September 17 2014) - ELEVEN-month-old Baby Perfect was lonely and decided to crawl to the door of the shack, lifting himself up on his tiny feet by holding on to the wall. What he didn't know was izinyoka cables were hanging against the metal panel of the shack. HE COULD NOT UNDERSTAND THAT THE PANEL WAS A DEATH TRAP. As he touched the wall, an electric charge ran through his body and he died instantly.

The house of heartbroken father Robert Dube (22), from Zandspruit in Honeydew, stands under an electricity pole and izinyoka wires touch the roof. Speaking to Daily Sun, Robert said people make their connections at night while the family is sleeping. "I came back from work early on Monday because I was sick. I decided to sit outside to get some fresh air and my older son, Prince, followed me," said Robert.

"My girlfriend had gone to the spaza shop to buy blades to cut my hair so Perfect was alone in the shack." He said he saw his baby coming to the door.

"Then suddenly sparks were flying and my boy's tiny body was thrown against the opposite shack. That shack also shocked him. When I tried to touch him, there was still electricity in his body so I ran to call my father across the road to come and help."

Robert's father Emmanuel Dube (50) said he grabbed a bucket of water and emptied it on the boy's body. "I picked him up and ran to our neighbour who has a bakkie," said Emmanuel.

"I realised there was no heartbeat but we still rushed to the hospital, hoping for a miracle."

The baby was certified dead on arrival.

"It was hard for me to let go of my grandson's lifeless body," said Emmanuel.

Perfect's mother, Philisiwe Ncube (21) said: "It broke my heart to see my baby like that. He was supposed to have his first birthday next month but he didn't live long enough to celebrate it."

Muldersdrift SAPS Warrant Officer Hitler Ngwenya said police were investigating the infant's death.

See the Daily Sun mobi site for more on this and other stories....

 

The Daily Sun is South Africa's largest daily newspaper with an average circulation of 274 165 (Audit Bureau of Circulations 2nd Quarter 2014) and a readership of 5.7m (as per AMPS 2012ab). Its Facebook page can be accessed here. It can be followed on Twitter here. To find about advertising on the Daily Sun click here.

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