Minister releases R20m following toddler’s death

Action on illegal connections to begin soon, says Trollip

It took the death of a toddler electrocuted in New Brighton last week for the Department of Energy to finally release R20-million for the eradication of illegal electricity connections in the city.

This is according to Nelson Mandela Bay mayor Athol Trollip, who was speaking at the funeral of 15-month-old Luniko Njikelana yesterday.

by an illegal connection while playing at his home in the Chris Hani informal settlement.

But the R20-million is far short of the R150-million Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson promised to give the municipality to cut down on power theft and install electricity in shacks.

Joemat-Pettersson promised to give the money to the municipality amid huge fanfare in July, adding that the municipality could receive even more money if it was spent quickly.

More than 350 residents gathered to pay their last respects to Luniko in a moving ceremony at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton.

“To see such a tiny coffin is an abomination in itself. It is painful that we meet under these conditions at the funeral of a child who died because people do not have electricity,” Trollip said.

“As a municipality we are committed to ending this. We have been trying to get the promised R150-million and after the death of this child the minister jumped and said she will release R20-million,” Trollip said.

Luniko’s mother Andisiwe Njikelana, 19, just stared at speaker after speaker who described her child as an energetic bundle of joy.

Referring to an incident in which Luniko had kissed a stranger at a city beach, his aunt Nomgcobo Mthukwini, 42, said he was a mischievous child.

“Luniko’s death has left a void in our hearts and at home. The house is quiet because he was always running around and climbing up and down that same fence that killed him . . . we will miss him,” she said.

Trollip said the R20-million would not be enough to rid the entire city of illegal electricity connections, but it was a starting point.

Addressing Andisiwe, he said: “As the municipality we have let you down. Your child did not know that he was in danger.

“We are sorry that one of your children died because of an illegal connection. This is because of us.”

Nelson Mandela Bay municipality electricity and energy director Peter Nielson has said solar-powered energy would be installed first in Airport Valley in Walmer.

Energy Department spokesman Johannes Mokobane said: “Kindly note that your inquiry is receiving the necessary attention and will be responded to as soon as possible.”