2 Zamtel employees die after being electrocuted

2 Zamtel employees die after being electrocuted
Written by Kelvin Tembo
Wednesday, January 07, 2009 3:05:19 PM

TWO Zamtel employees have died on the spot after a steel pole they were trying to mount slipped over a Zesco power line and electrocuted them.

According to an eyewitness, James Mapili, who runs a business in Avondale near the accident scene, two other workers survived and were rushed to Chelston clinic where they were admitted.

“They had dug the ditch where they put the steel pole, but when they tried to mount it, it slipped on the Zesco line and they immediately got electrocuted,” he said.

Mapili said he rushed into the yard where the four had been working from and found the two breathing their last.

“The police and ambulance delayed coming so, we decided to rush them to the nearest clinic,” he said.

And Zamtel staff found at the UTH Brought In Dead (BID) section identified the deceased as Benkeby Chikwakwa, who was the son of Jazzman Chikwakwa former deputy transport minister in the Chiluba administration, and Obert Ngulube.

They could however not give any further details, referring all queries to Zamtel human resource manager.

Police spokesperson Bonny Kapeso had not yet received a report by press time.