Man struck by lightning while riding scotch cart

A 61-YEAR-OLD man from Guyu area in Gwanda District was struck to death by lightning while riding a donkey-drawn scotch cart, police said.

Matabeleland South provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Christopher Ngwenya said Obert Ndlovu of Matape area under Chief Mathe died on the spot when a bolt of lightning struck him when he parked his scotch cart under a tree around 1PM last week Thursday.

"Ndlovu was found lying dead along a footpath near a mopane tree which had been struck by lightning. Next to him was a donkey which was also dead," he said.

"Ndlovu's dead body was discovered by a passerby from the same area and the matter was reported to the police. Investigations showed that he and the donkey were struck by lightning."

Asst Insp Ngwenya said Ndlovu's body was taken to Manama Hospital mortuary and a postmortem was waived by provincial magistrate Reuben Mukavhi.