Hurungwe Teen Battles for Life After Electrocution by Live Power Line
A 13-year-old boy from Hurungwe District is battling for survival after being electrocuted by a low-hanging live power line while herding cattle last week.
The incident occurred in Ward 25 under Chief Matau, near the Denderedzi–Zvipani line, where Nyasha Nyamukuyamba unknowingly came into contact with exposed electrical conductors.
Villagers searched frantically for help before transporting him to Zvipani Clinic, located about 75km west of Karoi.
Local councillor Tedius Nyamukumba confirmed the tragedy, saying the boy was unaware the lines were live.
“He was playing and came into contact with the power lines hanging to the ground. The loose lines have not been attended to by power authorities for some time now,” he said.
Nyamukuyamba sustained severe injuries to his arms, leg, and stomach.
He was transferred from Zvipani Clinic to Hurungwe District Hospital, then Chinhoyi Provincial Hospital, and finally to Harare due to the extent of his condition.
Villagers say the power lines had been neglected for over a year by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC).
“These power lines have been neglected for almost one and half years. It is life-threatening to both humans and domestic animals around communities,” said Zvatanga Ngandini, a concerned resident.
The matter was attended to by ZETDC officials from Karoi and the police.
ZETDC northern region general manager Lovemore Chinaka confirmed the incident and said investigations were underway.
“Preliminary reports indicate that the line developed a fault and part of it was isolated.
“Some conductors on the dead side of the isolation point were cut by an unknown person — possibly an act of vandalism,” Chinaka said.
He explained that the damage caused the H-pole structure to lean dangerously toward the live side.
“This brought the live conductors to about 1.5 metres above ground level at the lowest point.The victim got into contact with the low-lying live conductors.
A full investigation is under way,” he said.
Chinaka added that standard line protection systems only deactivate power when conductors touch the ground or earthed objects, or when wires clash.
“So if the conductors are just lying low, they will remain live. That’s why we advise the public to treat any fallen lines or low-lying wires as live at all times,” he said.
As Nyasha continues to fight for his life, the tragedy has sparked renewed calls for accountability and urgent action from power authorities to prevent similar incidents in rural communities.
-NewsDay
