News / National
Lightning kills 3
28 Nov 2013 at 11:50hrs | Views
AN eight-year old Gurure Primary School (Nyazura) pupil was last Thursday burnt beyond recognition after a lightning bolt struck a hut where she was in.
The death of Precious Mukoto, a Grade Three pupil at Gurure Primary School, brought to three the number of people who died after being struck by lightning bolts in Nyazura.
The incident happened in Headman Mupambawahle's area.
The other incident which claimed the lives of two herd men occurred in Chitenderano Village under Headman Nyangombe.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, confirmed both incidents.
He discouraged people from taking refuge under trees or walking when it is raining.
"Precious left home at around 12 noon and passed through Rosemary Bande's homestead on her way home. When she got home, she discovered that her mother Tatenda Tuwayu was not around and she entered into their kitchen hut. Coincidentally, it started raining and moments later a bolt of lightning struck, and set the hut ablaze.
"On hearing the sound, Rosemary got out to investigate and discovered that the Tuwayu's hut was on fire. She rushed to alert other neighbours and by the time people arrived at the scene, the hut's roof had caved in. They could not extinguish the fire to rescue the minor. By the time the fire subsidised, the damage had already been done as Precious' body had been burnt beyond recognition," said Asst Insp Chananda.
In another incident that occurred the previous day (November 20), Asst Insp Chananda said two men - Edward Mutisi (29) and Webster Chaibva (34) - of Chitenderano Village, died after being struck by a lightning bolt.
They were struck while under a Mushuma tree. Their three dogs also died.
"Edward Mutisi (29) and Webster Chaibva (34) - both of Chitenderano Village under Headman Nyangombe - died after being struck by a lightning bolt while under a tree.
"The two were herding cattle and went under the tree when it started raining," said Asst Insp Chananda.
Mutisi sustained burns on the left shoulder, while Chaibva had some burns on the waist, left hand and shoulder. The area's leader, Councillor Edward Mukoyi, said the area was shattered by the incident.
He added that Mutisi and Chaibva were buried last Friday in Chitenderano Village.
"We have lost two capable young men to lightning and as we speak the entire community is in a state of mourning. They met their fate while under a Mushuma tree and we buried them last Friday.
"Their bodies were discovered by Mutisi's mother Shylet, after the cattle they were herding strayed into her nearby maize field.
"It was when she was driving the cattle that she discovered the two lying under the tree and when she drew closer to investigate, she noted that they were dead and had lightning burns," said Clr Mukoyi.
The death of Precious Mukoto, a Grade Three pupil at Gurure Primary School, brought to three the number of people who died after being struck by lightning bolts in Nyazura.
The incident happened in Headman Mupambawahle's area.
The other incident which claimed the lives of two herd men occurred in Chitenderano Village under Headman Nyangombe.
Acting Manicaland police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Luxson Chananda, confirmed both incidents.
He discouraged people from taking refuge under trees or walking when it is raining.
"Precious left home at around 12 noon and passed through Rosemary Bande's homestead on her way home. When she got home, she discovered that her mother Tatenda Tuwayu was not around and she entered into their kitchen hut. Coincidentally, it started raining and moments later a bolt of lightning struck, and set the hut ablaze.
"On hearing the sound, Rosemary got out to investigate and discovered that the Tuwayu's hut was on fire. She rushed to alert other neighbours and by the time people arrived at the scene, the hut's roof had caved in. They could not extinguish the fire to rescue the minor. By the time the fire subsidised, the damage had already been done as Precious' body had been burnt beyond recognition," said Asst Insp Chananda.
They were struck while under a Mushuma tree. Their three dogs also died.
"Edward Mutisi (29) and Webster Chaibva (34) - both of Chitenderano Village under Headman Nyangombe - died after being struck by a lightning bolt while under a tree.
"The two were herding cattle and went under the tree when it started raining," said Asst Insp Chananda.
Mutisi sustained burns on the left shoulder, while Chaibva had some burns on the waist, left hand and shoulder. The area's leader, Councillor Edward Mukoyi, said the area was shattered by the incident.
He added that Mutisi and Chaibva were buried last Friday in Chitenderano Village.
"We have lost two capable young men to lightning and as we speak the entire community is in a state of mourning. They met their fate while under a Mushuma tree and we buried them last Friday.
"Their bodies were discovered by Mutisi's mother Shylet, after the cattle they were herding strayed into her nearby maize field.
"It was when she was driving the cattle that she discovered the two lying under the tree and when she drew closer to investigate, she noted that they were dead and had lightning burns," said Clr Mukoyi.
Source - manicapost
