Kaliati says govt following with interest on electrocuted boy

Malawi government says it is following with keen interest the story of a 12 year old boy from Blantyre whose both hands and a leg have been amputated after he was electrocuted in Chigumula.

Minister of Gender, Disability, the Elderly and Social Welfare Patricia Kaliati said the director of Children in the ministry is on the ground to find out what happened.

“I will only come up with the government position after he has done his investigation. We are on the ground following the matter with keen interest. We have also asked the police to be on the ground so that they should investigate this matter thoroughly,” said Kaliati.

The boy was electrocuted after an electricity pole fell on him. His parents blamed Escom for negligence, saying the pole was not well erected, an allegation rejected by some Escom officials who spoke off the cuff, saying the boys might have been playing with the pole when it fell.

Escom publicist refused to comment on the matter.

However Kaliati said Escom officials have told the ministry that they are investigating the matter.

Kaliati urged Benjamin’s parents to contact her if Escom fails to contact them. “We need to find out who was at fault, is it the boy or Escom so we need to give the investigations time,” said Kaliati.