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Technician electrocuted while assembling a satellite dish

by Staff reporter
24 Dec 2013 at 03:23hrs | Views
A 24-year-old satellite dish technician from Masvingo died after being electrocuted by a naked power cable while assembling a satellite dish at a house in one of the suburbs.

Moses Robert of Tongogara Street in Mucheke was holding the metal arm of the dish which got into contact with a naked live wire.

The incident confirmed by Masvingo police spokesperson Chief Inspector Peter Zhanero occurred on Sunday at around 11am.

"I can confirm receiving a report to that effect. Police attended the scene. The man was rushed to hospital where he breathed his last upon admission," said Chief Insp Zhanero.

According to residents, Robert had been hired to assembly a satellite dish at a house in Mucheke.

"Robert who specialises in fixing DStv satellite dishes was hired by one family in Mucheke to assembly one. It was during the process of fixing the dish that he mistakenly let the metal arm of the dish get into contact with a naked conductor and was electrocuted," said a resident.

Another resident added: "The house at which he was fixing the dish is along Mashayamombe Street in Mucheke and he was on top of the roof when the tragedy struck. After being electrocuted, Robert fell down to the ground sustaining serious injuries in the process. His hand was already paralysed by the electrical shock."

The badly injured Robert was rushed to Masvingo General Hospital where he died upon admission. Meanwhile, a woman from Chikombedzi in Chiredzi drowned in a 15-metre deep well while fetching some water.

Chief Insp Zhanero said the incident happened on Saturday at around 6pm. He identified the deceased as Sarah Phiri, 49 of Chigova Village, Headman Chilonga under Chief Sengwe area.

He said postmortem was waived and Phiri's body is awaiting burial in the same village.

"On the day, Phiri left her homestead to fetch water from a well which is about 70 metres away. When she bent in an effort to fetch water using her 20 litre bucket, she fell into 15 metres-deep well and drowned.

"Phiri was seen falling into the well by her five-year-old granddaughter who alerted the mother. The mother rushed to the scene but found Phiri's body submerged in water. She raised alarm that attracted other villagers who came and managed to retrieve Phiri's body," he said.

A report was made to the police who also attended the scene. The police have ruled out foul play.

Source - Chronicle