Casino at GrandWest, South Africa, Negligently Causes Electrocution of Child

Casino at GrandWest, South Africa, Negligently Causes Child's Electrocution

GrandWest Casino in Cape Town Found Liable for Gross Negligence in Child Electrocution Case

The GrandWest Casino in Cape Town, South Africa, has been found liable for gross negligence in a tragic case involving the electrocution of a four-year-old girl on January 6, 2020. The Western Cape High Court made this ruling on August 5, 2025, finding SunWest International, the casino operator, responsible for damages due to this gross negligence [4][2].

The incident occurred at a children's ice-skating rink where the crowd was large as people were still enjoying the last days of the Christmas holidays. The girl was electrocuted due to an exposed live electrical wire left unattended on the floor [1]. Her father, noticing red marks on her hands, pulled her towards him and immediately realized she had been electrocuted [2].

The GrandWest engineering manager admitted in court that the leftover wires had not been removed, and that if they had been, the girl would not have been electrocuted [3]. The court ruled that GrandWest's conduct constituted gross negligence, as the risk was foreseeable, despite GrandWest's claims of posting warning notices around the venue [4].

The court case resulted in a finding of liability for damages due to gross negligence against SunWest International. The court has granted legal costs to the plaintiff on a party-and-party basis. As of the latest information in August 2025, damages are pending and likely to be assessed following the court’s gross negligence decision [2][4].

It is important to note that this case stands distinct from other legal matters involving GrandWest Casino, such as disputes around gambling addiction and marital forfeiture claims, which are unrelated to this incident [3]. Also, general labor or misconduct cases (including a separate reported case of gross misconduct in Cape Town) do not pertain specifically to this electrocution negligence claim [5].

The court case is ongoing, with a separate hearing to determine the amount of damages to be awarded. The ruling establishes a significant precedent, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a safe environment for all visitors, especially children, at entertainment venues.