The East London education community is mourning the death of Delicia Vengadajellum, a grade 7 teacher and head of the senior phase at Arcadia Primary School. She died after allegedly being electrocuted in her classroom while preparing for the new school year. Her electrician brother-in-law, Deon Vengadajellum, said: “She was barefoot because it was a very hot day and she was moving books inside the classroom.” He said a metal plate ran through the middle of the classroom floor.
A pedestal fan, plugged in at the front of the classroom, allegedly had an electrical fault, according to Deon. “As she moved the fan while it was still switched on, she stepped onto the metal plate. “The electricity discharged from the fan through her body and into the metal plate,” he claimed.
According to Deon, the structure of the affected classroom was largely metal, with only the floor made of wood. He said though other teachers were on the school premises at the time on January 9, Vengadajellum’s classroom was situated some distance from the main building. “At some point in the afternoon, a loud bang was heard.” he said.
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“It was most likely the sound of her falling over the fan. Deon said Vengadajellum’s husband, Tyrone, arrived at the school to fetch her but became concerned when she did not leave at her usual time.
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