Lightning strikes man and his two children dead

A Mwenezi man and his two children died instantly while a third child was left unconscious when a bolt of lightning struck them in their kitchen hut.

Masvingo police spokesperson Inspector Peter Zhanero said the tragedy occurred on Friday at about 6.30pm.

He identified the three as Taimba Zhou (58), Takavaona Zhou (19) and Saliwe Zhou whose age was not given, of Mapungwe Village under Chief Mazetese.

"I confirm receiving a report to the effect that a man and his two children, a male and female from Mwenezi's Chief Mazetese area were fatally struck by lightning on Friday.

"The post-mortem was waived and I believe they have since been buried," said Insp Zhanero.

He said on Friday Taimba and his three children were in their kitchen hut warming themselves after a heavy downpour.

"Taimba Zhou, with his children, Abiot (23), Saliwe and Takavaona were in their kitchen warming themselves. It was cold following a downpour that had pounded the village," he said.

Insp Zhanero said while in the kitchen, a bolt of lightning struck the quartet and killed three of them leaving Abiot unconscious.
"Abiot was left unconscious and he later recovered from the shock," said Insp Zhanero.

He said when Taimba's wife, Ms Winnie Sibanda (48), arrived from the fields, she found her husband and the two children's lifeless bodies lying on the floor.

Ms Sibanda reported the matter to the village head Mr Solomon Sibanda who subsequently reported the incident to Mulelezi police base.