Danisa Masuku
Two people in Gokwe South in Bomba Village under chief Njelele were struck and killed by lightning last week Wednesday.
The lightning also claimed 12 cattle.
Chief Njelele confirmed the incident.
“Elizabeth Matambeka and Marita Madzivanzira were killed by lightning and they were neighbours. They are from Bomba Village. I have noted with concern that lightning incidents during this period are rife and as traditional leaders we are worried because this has robbed us of our beloved ones. I believe there is a hand behind this so we are going to urge people to live in harmony with each other and we are going to take measures to catch the person behind this,” he said.
Midlands police spokesman Inspector Joel Goko confirmed the incident.
“We take the two cases as sudden death caused by lightning. Circumstances are that the now deceased pair’s remains were found near the grazing area in an open space and preliminary examination indicates that it might be a case of lightning though investigations are underway to ascertain the real cause of deaths,” said Insp Goko.
He said the remains of the pair were ferried to Gokwe District Hospital mortuary for post mortem.
Lightning bolts have killed and injured many in recent months. A 25-year-old man was struck and killed by lightning in Plumtree Town on Wednesday last week as well.
A Grade One pupil from Nesigwe Primary school in Nkayi district of Matabeleland North province was late last year also killed by lightning while three others survived.
The four pupils were going home after knocking off from school.
In October last year, a man was also struck and killed by lightning in Bulawayo’s Cowdray Park suburb while a woman from the same suburb also died with her two children, one strapped on her back, escaping with serious burns.
