grove street
1st June 2007, 04:00
This story right here makes me sick especially because it has happened in my own country. People the world over a victims of Capitalism, it doesn't matter if you live in a third world country or a 1st world country, Capitalism still sucks and not until we find a way to stop it, it will continue to kill innocent people.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cf...jectid=10443042 (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501212&objectid=10443042)
Power cut death: Family struggle with grief
Wellwishers have passed in a steady procession through the Muliaga family home in Mangere to pay their respects to the mother of four who died after the power to the house was disconnected over an outstanding bill.
Extended family are still struggling to come to terms with the death of the seriously ill Folole Muliaga, who was using an oxygen machine.
A Mercury Energy contractor disconnected the Muliaga home because of the non-payment of a bill amounting to $168.40 and 2 1/2 hours later the 44-year-old was dead.
As of yesterday afternoon neither the power company nor its contractor, VirCom EMS, had visited the family.
"At the moment, the family's not well disposed towards Mercury Energy so it's probably a good thing in some respects," family spokesman Brenden Sheehan said yesterday.
"But I would have expected it [a visit] as a common courtesy and decency."
Police were yesterday still piecing together the facts surrounding the case, complicated by the two different version of events from the company/contractor and from the family.
Mercury Energy was adamant it had followed the correct procedures, including serving the family a telegram via courier stating that they had 48 hours to make a payment.
Mr Sheehan said neither he nor anyone in the family recalled seeing any notice of disconnection and police had taken away all related documentation.
"I don't know whether it was sent but, whether it was or not, this is a preventable tragedy. It shouldn't have happened. Their representative was at the door; he knew the situation and proceeded nevertheless."
Police were also investigating Mrs Muliaga's pre-existing health conditions, which have been confirmed to be cardiomyopathy.
The condition is a weakening of the heart muscle, which may be caused by various factors, including heart disease, obesity or viral infection.
Mrs Muliaga was in hospital with the condition for about a month and discharged just three weeks ago.
Post-mortem examination results have not yet been released.
Mrs Muliaga's death has sparked calls for a wider inquiry into the cost of electricity and security of supply.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cf...jectid=10443042 (http://www.nzherald.co.nz/feature/story.cfm?c_id=1501212&objectid=10443042)
Power cut death: Family struggle with grief
Wellwishers have passed in a steady procession through the Muliaga family home in Mangere to pay their respects to the mother of four who died after the power to the house was disconnected over an outstanding bill.
Extended family are still struggling to come to terms with the death of the seriously ill Folole Muliaga, who was using an oxygen machine.
A Mercury Energy contractor disconnected the Muliaga home because of the non-payment of a bill amounting to $168.40 and 2 1/2 hours later the 44-year-old was dead.
As of yesterday afternoon neither the power company nor its contractor, VirCom EMS, had visited the family.
"At the moment, the family's not well disposed towards Mercury Energy so it's probably a good thing in some respects," family spokesman Brenden Sheehan said yesterday.
"But I would have expected it [a visit] as a common courtesy and decency."
Police were yesterday still piecing together the facts surrounding the case, complicated by the two different version of events from the company/contractor and from the family.
Mercury Energy was adamant it had followed the correct procedures, including serving the family a telegram via courier stating that they had 48 hours to make a payment.
Mr Sheehan said neither he nor anyone in the family recalled seeing any notice of disconnection and police had taken away all related documentation.
"I don't know whether it was sent but, whether it was or not, this is a preventable tragedy. It shouldn't have happened. Their representative was at the door; he knew the situation and proceeded nevertheless."
Police were also investigating Mrs Muliaga's pre-existing health conditions, which have been confirmed to be cardiomyopathy.
The condition is a weakening of the heart muscle, which may be caused by various factors, including heart disease, obesity or viral infection.
Mrs Muliaga was in hospital with the condition for about a month and discharged just three weeks ago.
Post-mortem examination results have not yet been released.
Mrs Muliaga's death has sparked calls for a wider inquiry into the cost of electricity and security of supply.