Lightning strikes a group of about 40 pupils, two die on the spot

TWO children died on the spot while 18 were injured when lightning struck a group of about 40 pupils at Nguwanyana Primary School in Mangwe district.

The tragedy occurred at around 3pm on Wednesday when the children were at the school playground.

Confirming the incident yesterday, the acting police spokesperson for Matabeleland South Province, Sergeant Loveness Mangena, said the bodies of the dead pupils were awaiting waiver of a post mortem at Plumtree District Hospital.

She identified the pupils who died as Sharon Sibanda (13), of Seluleko Ndebele's homestead and Bongile Ndlovu (12), of Milton Ndlovu's homestead, all under Chief Wasi in the Madabe area.
"The 18 injured pupils were rushed to Plumtree District Hospital where they are receiving treatment," said Sgt Mangena.

She cautioned villagers against being in an open area during rainstorms saying lightning always struck the tallest object.

Meanwhile, lightning killed two people in Lupane and Sipepa on the same day and at exactly the same time.

The strange incidents occurred on 12 February at 12 noon.

Both victims were struck after rain started falling when they were weeding their fields.

One of the victims was an eight-year-old girl from Botswana, whose two sisters were severely burnt by the lightning strike.

The other was a 36-year-old man from Lupane.

The officer commanding Lupane Police District, Chief Superintendent Johannes Govo confirmed the deaths yesterday.

He said Bokani Ndindane (8) was working in the fields with her grandmother and sisters when rain started falling.

"They rushed for shelter under a tree in the field. A few minutes later, a bolt of lightning struck Bokani and she died on the spot. Two of her sisters from an extended family, Silindisiwe Gumbo (12) and Novuyo Tshuma (11) suffered severe burns all over their bodies and were rushed to hospital," said Chief Supt Govo.

He said Bokani's father had given permission for his daughter to be buried at Sipepa, Mangwatu village under Chief Mathuphula, where the tragedy occurred.

Chief Supt Govo said in the other incident, Mr Mhlupheki Ncube (36) was removing weeds in his field with his younger brother Amkela Ncube (15), when disaster struck.

"Rain started falling but they continued working. At around 12 noon, a lightning bolt struck Mhlupheki. He is suspected to have died instantly. His brother escaped unhurt," said Chief Supt Govo.

He said the deceased was from Mahlabathini Village, which falls under the jurisdiction of Chief Mabhikwa.

Chief Supt Govo said people should take heed of advice that was given by police officers on safety tips during the rainy season.

"We often tell people to avoid being the tallest object during a thunderstorm because lightning often strikes objects that are higher than their surroundings. If these people had moved away from the open space of their field to their homestead, they might have survived," said Chief Supt Govo.

He said villagers should also revive the culture of having lightning conductors at their homesteads because a number of people in the police district have already been killed by lightning in their huts this year.

The Lupane Police District covers Lupane, Tsholotsho, Nyamandlovu, Jotsholo, Insuza and Sipepa.