A heartbreaking tragedy struck the Iscor informal settlement in Pretoria West when two seven-year-old girls were electrocuted while playing near illegal electrical connections. The incident, which happened on Saturday, 13 September 2025, has left two families devastated and the community in mourning.
According to reports, the victims, Ofentse Mfumadi and her friend Phemelo Ngema, were playing outside when they came into contact with a live electrical wire. Community members rushed to the scene after hearing screams and discovered the girls lying on the ground. The children were taken to a nearby hospital, where they were tragically declared dead.
Grieving Families Speak Out
For the families, the loss is almost unbearable.
Sinethemba Ngema (26), mother of Phemelo, described her daughter as her best friend. A Grade 1 learner at Matseke Primary School in Atteridgeville, Phemelo was full of life and loved playing games on her mother’s phone.
“My daughter was playing with her friends when she was electrocuted by illegal electricity. She died with her little friend, Ofentse. I am traumatised. She was my only girl. I was struggling to raise her, and now she’s gone,” said Sinethemba.
She added that Phemelo’s funeral will be held on Saturday, 20 September 2025, in Zebediela, Limpopo.
Family friend Lelethu Mandleni (26) said the community was heartbroken. “She was a lovely and respectful girl. Her death has left a huge void.”
For the Mfumadi family, the pain is equally deep. Tebogo Mfumadi, father of Ofentse, said he received the devastating news while at work.
“My daughter went out to play with her friend. This is hurting, and I still cannot believe I lost her. She was so young and full of promise,” he said.
Ofentse will be laid to rest in Botlokwa, Nyakelani, Limpopo.
Community in Shock and Demanding Change
Community leader Sello Thupi was among the first to arrive at the scene. He admitted he felt helpless seeing the two children lying on the ground. “I don’t know anything about first aid. I was shaking, and all we could do was rush them to the hospital. As a community, we are in pain.”
Sello explained that residents have long been pleading with the municipality for relocation and proper services. He said they are desperate for safe housing, water, and electricity.
“There are powerlines running above our shacks and dangerous drains around the settlement. We are willing to pay for proper services, but nothing has been done. We were evicted from this area in 2010, yet we had no choice but to return and build shacks here,” he said.
Police Investigation
Police have since opened an inquest docket to investigate the deaths. Gauteng police spokesperson, Lieutenant-Colonel Mavela Masondo, confirmed the case is under investigation.
Illegal electrical connections remain a widespread problem in many informal settlements across South Africa, often posing serious dangers to residents, particularly children. This tragedy has once again highlighted the urgent need for safer housing and infrastructure for vulnerable communities.
As the families prepare to bury their daughters, the community continues to grapple with grief and frustration, hoping authorities will take action to prevent more lives from being lost.
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