Chronicle EditorRutendo Rori Marondera Correspondent
A bolt of lightning struck and killed three people on separate occasions in Mashonaland East during the weekend. The deceased are Gailord Hwesa (23) from Macheke, Pardon Tore (14) and Jonathan Chikaka (30) from Marondera East. Mashonaland East acting provincial police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Tendai Mwanza confirmed the incident yesterday.
“It is sad to note that we have lost three lives in the province within a short period of time on the onset of 2017-2018 rainy season. However, as police, we are appealing to the public to avoid being in the open or seeking shelter under trees when it is raining,” said Asst Insp Mwanza. Police said on November 10, at around 2.30pm, Hwesa, of Plot 19 Village 38 in Macheke was intending to close the door of a fowl run that was under a tree whilst it was raining. He was reportedly struck by a lightning bolt and died on the spot.
On the same day, it is reported that Tore of Village 37 under Chief Svosve in Marondera East was herding cattle in a nearby grazing land when it started raining and he sought shelter at a nearby homestead. Whilst in a kitchen hut, he was struck by a lightning bolt and died on the spot.
“The hut caught fire and he was burnt beyond recognition. The same incident took place at Matunga Village under Chief Svosve in Marondera East around 2pm when John Chikaka was planting flowers at his homestead whilst it was raining. He was struck by lightning and died on the spot. The bodies of the deceased were ferried to Marondera Hospital mortuary for post-mortem.
Online Reporter