Child Electrocuted at GrandWest: Court Slams Casino for Gross Negligence

What should have been a carefree festive outing turned into a traumatic emergency when a child was electrocuted at GrandWest Casino in Cape Town. Now, a court has found the popular venue liable for the incident, calling its actions grossly negligent.

A joyful day turns dangerous

It was January 2020, and the festive season buzz filled the food court at GrandWest Casino. Among the crowd was a father and his then four-year-old daughter, who had paused at the kiddies’ ice-skating rink to watch other children glide across the ice.

In the blink of an eye, everything changed. The little girl clutched a steel pole next to the rink and screamed out in pain. Her father turned to find her trembling, eyes wide with fear, holding out her hand with a red mark. Moments later, he spotted the culprit: an exposed live electrical wire lying unattended on the floor.

He pulled his child into his arms as she cried out. Paramedics later treated her for visible burn injuries on her hand and feet. The visibly shaken father rushed her to an emergency centre for further medical help.

Casino staff delayed power switch-off

Despite the urgency, security guards were reportedly told not to cut the power immediately. The father testified that staff were told to wait while an incident report was completed before switching off the main plug point, just metres away from where the ice rink was stationed.

That hesitation, along with the exposed cable in a public area, would later become the centrepiece of a court case that has raised serious concerns about public safety at entertainment venues.

A Christmas setup gone wrong

An investigation revealed that the exposed wire had been part of a festive Christmas tree setup at the casino. While the tree was installed and later dismantled by an external contractor, it was GrandWest’s own electrical team that had been responsible for connecting and disconnecting the lights.

One manager admitted in court that the casino’s team had not removed the leftover wiring after the tree came down. She conceded that, had they done so, the electrocution could have been avoided altogether.

Another staff member, a security guard who witnessed the aftermath, described seeing a red live wire protruding from a connector block near the rink. The wire, he said, was not insulated and posed an obvious risk.

Court: “Gross negligence”

The Western Cape High Court did not mince words. It ruled that GrandWest Casino failed in its duty of care to the public, particularly given the family-friendly nature of its operations.

“The defendant was grossly negligent,” the court stated, adding that a proper inspection after the Christmas décor was removed would have uncovered the live wire. The judgment made it clear that the injury was preventable.

While the court has yet to determine the exact amount the casino must pay in damages, the ruling sets a strong precedent for how venues should handle post-event safety and maintenance.

Public concern mounts

On social media, the story has sparked outrage among Cape Town parents and safety activists. Many are calling for stricter oversight of public venues, especially those that cater to families and children.

One Twitter user commented, “If this can happen at a high-end casino like GrandWest, what about other less regulated venues? This is terrifying.”

Others praised the father for pursuing the case and bringing the issue to light. “That dad did what many of us wouldn’t have had the strength or resources to do,” another user posted.

What this means for parents and public venues

While the court decision cannot undo the trauma, it sends a clear message: venues that invite the public onto their premises must take full responsibility for safety. Whether it’s a live concert, an ice rink, or a food court, hazards like exposed wiring should never be present in public spaces.

For parents, the incident is a stark reminder to always stay alert, even in seemingly safe environments.

Also read: Stellenbosch Mourns as Matie Student’s Death Linked to Meningitis

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Source: IOL

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