Zesa intern electrocuted

A University of Zimbabwe electrical engineering student, who was on attachment at Zesa Holdings, was electrocuted while repairing a transformer in Norton last week.

The incident occurred at Tangakara Farm in Norton on Thursday around 11am when, Nyasha Gamanya (24), a third year student came into contact with a high voltage copper conductor that fell from the transformer.

This incident happened barely two weeks after a Rural Electrification Agency worker Mr Stephen Kativhu was electrocuted while on duty in Mutoko.

Mashonaland West provincial police spokesperson Inspector Clemence Mabgweazara confirmed the incident.

Insp Mabgweazara said Gamanya was working with Tendai Mutengedzanwa, Privilege Tsuro and Terrence Gengwa on a transformer at the farm.

"Mutengedzanwa climbed up to open a fuse link and when he opened the third link there was a short circuit and a copper conductor broke and fell electrocuting Gamanya," Insp Mabgweazara said.

He said the three realised that Gamanya had collapsed but was still breathing and rushed him to Norton Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

Insp Mabgweazara said police were still investigating the incident.

Gamanya was buried at his rural home in Chivhu.

In an interview yesterday, his brother Mr Irvine Gamanya said it was a sad loss to the family, but wanted police to fully investigate the incident.

"My brother died around 11am but Zesa only informed us of the death around 5pm and why all trained workers escaped unhurt and only an apprentice died?" asked Mr Gamanya.

He also said although the family received assistance from Zesa during the funeral they wanted police to fully probe the incident.

Zesa spokesperson Fullard Gwasira confirmed the incident.

"I can confirm that there was an electrical accident in Norton involving a student on attachment. Preliminary investigations into the accident indicate that the very sad and regrettable accident occurred during a switching operation which involved a broken line due to a short circuit.

"Our hearts and minds are very much with the Gamanya family during this very difficult period of bereavement," Mr Gwasira said.

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