Bulawayo man electrocuted

Molline Gagare Chronicle Reporter
A MAN from Upper Rangemore suburb in Bulawayo died on the spot after being electrocuted by a high voltage cable. William Musina, 62, also lost eight fingers and was partially burnt beyond recognition in the gruesome incident on February 27.

His widow, Linet Nkomo, 54, said a guitar Musina bought at Emganwini suburb on the fateful day, caused his death.

“My husband had just bought a guitar from Emganwini. He passed through an area where high voltage cables were hanging,” said Nkomo, struggling to hold back tears.

“One of the live cables touched the guitar’s metallic nodes. There was an explosion and the cable wound itself around his neck. He let go of the guitar and tried to yank off the cable but eight of his fingers were sliced off.”

Nkomo’s voice faltered as she narrated how her husband’s head was loped off by the cable.

She said the power line roasted him for about one-and-a-half hours before Zesa officials arrived to switch off power.

“They took one-a-and-half hours to attend to the scene of the accident. My husband’s skin had peeled off from most of his body. The live cable broke his backbone,” said Nkomo.

She said mortuary attendants could not wash Musina’s body as it had become brittle.

“Even body viewing was not done. His head was not attached to his body when we buried him. I buried my husband with only his clothes which was stuck to his body,” added Nkomo.

A witness, Maina Ndlovu, said she was traumatised after watching Musina die.

“His body was badly burnt. I have never seen anything like that in my life,” she said.

ZESA western region manager Lovemore Chinaka said he was not aware of the incident.

“I’m not aware of that incident. When reports are made of exposed cables, we attend to them immediately. At the moment I can’t verify if that incident occurred. An investigative committee will be set up to find out what really transpired,” he said.

Bulawayo police spokesperson Inspector Mandlenkosi Moyo confirmed the incident.

Musina was buried last Wednesday at West Park Cemetery.