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Rutendo Nyeve, Sunday News Reporter
A sombre atmosphere engulfed a section of Bulawayo’s Sizinda suburb yesterday morning following the tragic death of a 39-year-old man, who was electrocuted by a high-voltage overhead cable, while picking mangoes from a neighbour’s tree.
What began as a cheerful December Saturday, filled with an early braai and drinks with his girlfriend at a local spot, ended in heartbreak as Oscar Mapurisa’s life was cut short.
After enjoying a hearty breakfast, he decided to pick mangoes from a nearby tree just a few metres from his home.
In a tragic turn of events, as he climbed the tree and used a wire to reach for the fruit, he accidentally hooked it onto an overhead Zesa cable.
That resulted in his electrocution.
When a Sunday News crew arrived at the scene, scores of people had gathered outside the house near Maphisa Primary School to witness the unfortunate incident.
Police officers together with workers from the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company were also present at the scene recording statements from witnesses.
A neighbour who spoke to the news crew on condition of anonymity said they responded to screaming alerting them that something wrong had happened.
“The now deceased who was with a woman, passed me while I was entering a house that is a few metres from where the unfortunate incident occurred. In about five minutes we heard some women screaming and we quickly responded.
“I found him still trapped on the tree and when I touched the tree I felt some shock. I then removed his shoes and after a few minutes climbed the tree and took down his body. His right arm had been burnt,” said the witness.
Another witness who identified himself as Brian said he had seen the now deceased earlier in the morning at a local spot having a braai with his girlfriend.
“I saw him with his girlfriend at a spot called koRichard. I had gone to buy my opaque beer and they were having braai. We spoke and I asked for a cigarette from him.
“I did not stay long at the spot as I intended to buy and go back home. After a few minutes, I heard that there had been an unfortunate incident here. When I got here I learnt it was Oscar, the same person I had spoken to a few minutes ago,” said the witness.
The witness said his girlfriend only identified as Princess witnessed the incident and in an emotional gesture closed the now deceased’s eyes.
Bulawayo acting police spokesperson,Assistant Inspector Nomalanga Msebele confirmed the incident and said investigations are underway.
“I can confirm a case of sudden death where a 39-year-old man from Sizinda suburb died on the spot after being electrocuted by a high voltage Zesa cable while picking mangoes from a tree. The police are investigating the incident,” said Asst Insp Msebele. — @nyeve14
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