This fallen power line serves as a stark reminder of the dangers posed by storm damage in the uMkhanyakude District.
Image: Supplied
UMkhanyakude District Municipality employee Jimmy Msimang is lucky to be alive after he was electrocuted by a live power line while on duty at the Matshemhlophe Water Supply Scheme in the Nhlwathi area on Sunday morning.
He accidentally stepped on an area where live Eskom wires were lying on the wet ground, damaged by recent storms. Msimang believes he was not supposed to survive; he attributes his recovery and survival to God’s protection.
Msimang said he was on his way to resolve a water issue and he did not see that an electricity line had fallen as a result of the storm.
"I took a step, heard explosions and it sent me into the air,” Msimang explained.
“I was rolling on the ground, and then I jumped up. I could feel it through my body. I didn't even know where it was coming from.”
Msimang said he was using a commonly used pathway.
“They wanted to keep me for observation but they are discharging me today (Monday). I was not supposed to survive,” Msimang said.
Following the incident, uMkhanyakude District Municipality Mayor Councillor Siphile Mdaka commissioned Eskom to deactivate live power lines in areas where municipal staff and the public are at risk of electrocution.
Eskom immediately responded to recent storm damage in the Mkhanyakude area by identifying and deactivating live power lines.
“We are also putting pressure on Eskom to restore power in areas in Mtubatuba and Hluhluwe affected by last week’s storm. We sympathise with these communities; however, our hands are tied as we don’t have authority over Eskom operations except putting pressure on them to restore the service,” Mdaka said.
The municipality encouraged residents to immediately report any damaged infrastructure or fallen power lines to Eskom.
Eskom KwaZulu-Natal spokesperson Joyce Zingoni said electricity has been restored to most customers experiencing supply disruptions following last week’s storms.
“There are a few sections of networks that have been isolated, where access was a challenge, that are still being attended to. These sections, in the Mtubatuba area, should be repaired and supplies restored by tomorrow (Tuesday) afternoon,” Zingoni said.
She added that the Pongola and Nongoma areas were also affected by recent storms. However, electricity supply has been restored to those customers.