12-year-old boy electrocuted
Twelve-year-old Mphatso Musolo from Bwaila Township in Zomba died on Thursday after being electrocuted by an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) power line.
According to witness Carolyn Chisale, city council officials had notified residents that they would cut down bluegum trees in the area and also told the people that Escom would come to remove its wires for safety during the exercise.
She said: “When the linesmen detached the wire from the pole, they threw it down and unfortunately it landed on the deceased’s stomach. The linesmen abandoned the scene leaving behind their ladders upon seeing the boy battling for his life.”
In an interview, Escom public relations manager Kitty Chingota confirmed the accident and said investigations are underway to establish its cause.
She said: “We send our condolences to the bereaved family.
