An Mpumalanga man died by electrocution on Saturday while allegedly trying to illegally connect electricity to a home.

Aaron Lubisi, of Steenbok Trust near Komatipoort, was connecting electricity at the nearby Esibayeni Trust when the steel ladder he was using touched high-voltage electric cables.

Constable Mzwandile Nyambi, a spokesman for the Tonga police, said when police arrived at the scene they established that the man was in possession of electric cards from the electric giant, Eskom, though he was not employed by the company.

"We we don't really know why he was in possession of cards from Eskom," said Nyambi. - Riot Hlatshwayo