The mother of a boy who was shocked by high-voltage electrical wires while playing with his friends at his home in Ga-Rankuwa, is claiming R460 000 in damages from Eskom.
Lander Ramafoko stated in papers before the Pretoria high court that her son, Kenosi, lost his little finger as a result.
The accident happened on February 27, 2001, at their home in Zone 7.
She said her son, who was eight at the time, touched the live wires carrying electricity to the house. They were allegedly hanging low over the property.
He sustained severe burns to his body and was in hospital for 10 months.
Apart from the skin grafts he had to undergo, his little finger on his right hand had to be amputated.
His mother said he changed - he became shy, withdrawn, irritable and short-tempered.
The court also heard he struggled to write and developed epileptic attacks, headaches and nausea.
Ramafoko blamed her son's accident on the negligence of Eskom, saying that as the supplier of electricity, it was liable for damage or injury caused by its power supply.
The claim for damages includes R150 000 for future medical expenses and R300 000 for general damages.
Eskom indicated that it will oppose the claim.
The matter was postponed and no date for the new hearing has been set.