Wesbank residents blame Eskom for baby’s death

CAPE TOWN -The community of Wesbank in Cape Town have been without power for months now.

It may have even led to the death of a one-month-old baby.

Nomthandazo Tyhobeka says her family is devastated by the death of her grandchild.

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She lives with the guilt of having not been able to see when the infant fell ill at night.

Thieves had cut her electricity cables in November last year.

The problem was reported, but all she has in response is this reference number

The ward councillor says that, after fruitless engagement with Eskom, they had no choice but to call on the SA Human Rights Commission.

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Now, the Human Rights Commission says it will pressure Eskom to restore power.

Residents accuse the utility of not fixing faults or responding to cable theft.

For its part, Eskom says it engaged with the community leadership in June and made it clear that cable theft and vandalism are the main causes of the electricity problems.

* eNCA’s Nobesuthu Hejana reports.