By Neo Kolane
A resident of Maseru East who has been left with debilitating injuries after suffering electric shock is considering demanding compensation from the Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC).
Motlalepula Shea incurred first degree burns when he accidentally came into contact with exposed live electricity wires at Maseru East on March 19 2023.
The accident left the 37-year-old brick maker with burn injuries to the face, chest and right arm. He also casts a figure of someone who is affected mentally and is unable to work and provide for his family.
Electric shocks occur when any part of the body meets live electricity and current flows through the tissues, causing shock.
This ordeal occurred when a brick loaded truck that Shea was travelling in passed under precariously low hanging power lines.
According to experts, some electric shocks can have a lasting impact on one’s health. For example, serious burns can leave permanent scars. And if the electrical current goes through the eyes, a person may be left with cataracts; which is a clouding of the normally clear lens of the eye.
Some shocks can also cause endless pain, tingling, numbness, and muscle weakness due to internal injuries.
Shea, whose upper body and right hand were burnt during the incident, has also had his face discoloured. He complains of unbearable back pain and itchiness.
theReporter noted during this week’s visit to Shea’s home that he was even struggling to carry his one-year-old baby due to the pain in his right arm.
“I only remember perched atop the load of bricks and the next moment I found myself in a hospital bed. I knew I may have I passed out.
“I need help so I can provide for my family again. My job also involves load and offloading, and I make up to M1500 a month. My hand is numb and I cannot feel anything. I have also had to bear all medical costs myself,” he said.
According to Shea’s wife, her husband is now exhibiting slurred speech, a condition known as dysarthria. She however, refused to give out her first name.
Shea’s family wrote a letter on March 30, 2022 to the managing director of LEC, Thabo Nkhahle, reporting the incident.
“I, Motlalepula Shea, who works by loading and off loading bricks at Maseru-East, 19/03/23 in the afternoon had an accident.
“We got loaded a truck from the area and boarded to deliver the bricks. We were at the back of the truck and I was holding onto its antenna.
“I last remember passing by an orphanage called ‘Malibuseng. I do not remember anything else after that except that when I came to I was in hospital,” Shea wrote.
He said he was now unable to work after suffering electric shock and provide for his wife, children, mother and siblings. He is also unable to pay rent.
“I am now unable to take care of my family and have no means to pay rent.
“It is through you as the managing director of LEC, that I seek to be assisted with human basic needs.
“I was injured when I came into contact with loose low hanging electricity cables in Maseru East. We will appreciate your assistance as a family,” he said. Shea’s medical record indicates that he was admitted at Queen ‘Mamohato Memorial Hospital the following day 20 March 2023. He was discharged on two days later after being treated for superficial burn wounds.
Asked for comment this week, the LEC acknowledged cognisance of the matter.
The LEC through its information officer, ‘Mareitumetse Monyau, said they were conducting investigations into the case and would issue a report upon completion.
“We will then decide on the way forward,” the company said.
“We have, however, informed our insurance company about the matter,” it added.
The LEC risk manager, Matṧeliso Moremoholo, told this publication that Shea’s letter of demand was just for “procedure purposes”.
However, it is for LEC to determine whether to compensate him or not, depending on the nature and magnitude of liability.
Moremoholo said risk department officers from LEC were still checking up on Shea to keep an eye on his healing process. She could not provide a convincing motive for the visits.
She said the claim process would be determined by Shea’s healing after an assessment is done on the injuries he sustained.
“For now, we are focusing on his healing,” she noted, but could not explain further.
Moremoholo said LEC was still working on the loose and low hanging power lines on the streets of Maseru East.
