By Kaya 959 News
Police are probing the death of a Johannesburg couple who were electrocuted in their home at the weekend.
The bodies of Crosby newlyweds Zaheer Sarang and Nabeelah Khan were discovered in their home on Sunday afternoon. The couple got married on 30 May.
Police spokesperson, Captain Mavela Masondo, said the couple’s bodies were found in the shower.
He said police were still waiting for the post-mortem results that will confirm the cause of death but it is suspected the couple was electrocuted,” Masondo said.
It is alleged that Khan was electrocuted after she touched the shower tap. Her husband was electrocuted when he tried to help her.
READ: Shaleen Surtie-Richards: ‘I just have to pray I don’t fall ill because I can’t afford medical aid’
City Power launches probe
City Power’s Isaac Mangena confirmed that they will be launching an investigation into the couple’s deaths.
“City Power CEO Mongezi Ntsokolo has requested the team to launch an investigation into the allegations that the couple was killed by a faulty electricity connection, attributed to the illegal connections in the area,” he said
He said in the interim, they urge residents to desist from tampering with electricity infrastructure.
Mangena also warned against vandalism and illegal connections which could lead to circuit malfunctioning.
Community activist, Aziz Ally, blamed the City’s failures for the couple’s deaths.
He said residents living in Mayfair, Homestead Park and Fordsburg have complained continuously about illegal electricity connections and the need for major rehabilitation of electricity but their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.
“Last week, the councillor reported the death of a resident whose oxygen supply was affected by power outages. This week, a young honeymoon couple passed on from electrocution because illegal connections caused electricity to move through their taps,” he said.
Ongoing electricity crisis
Ally said this is not an isolated incident as there have been numerous calls logged by residents of similar instances.
He said residents in Homestead Park were experiencing the same issues.
“Ward 58 needs a serious intervention now and it is time for the City to stop ignoring our pleas and start delivering services,” he said.
Ally said the ongoing electricity crisis between residents of Crosby and Slovo Park are causing tensions within the community as well as costing the City and City Power millions to replace burnt out cables, sub-stations, breakers and various other equipment.
“These costs can all be mitigated if the relevant entities can budget and go ahead for the electrification of Slovo Park,” he said.
READ: Power failure leaves Gauteng hospitals without water
City Power has also issued a notice of planned power interruptions in the following areas:
Corporate Park – 20 June – Lechwe Street
Edenvale – 24 June – Elphin Lodge Old Age Home
Vodaworld – 27 June – Vodacom Service Park
“As the supply may be restored at any time, customers are urged to treat their electricity supply points as live at all times,” City Power said.
Call Centre – 0860 562 874.
