Nkanya villagers near Elliotdale are still in shock following the deaths of five community members killed by lightning at the weekend.
A further 13 people were injured while attending the funeral of an elderly woman from the village.
One of the survivors, Nomnikelo Mpongolo, 70, said she and her three-month-old granddaughter were lucky to be alive.
But her stepson Ntondolowana Sikokoko, 58, is among the five killed as a bolt of lighting hit on Saturday afternoon.
They were attending the funeral of Novathile Xhinti, a close relative and neighbour in the small, remote village situated near Nkanya beach on the Wild Coast.
“I was holding my granddaughter and having lunch when the tragedy took place.
“Ntondolwana was just finished giving meat to women in the rondavel when we suddenly heard a big bang and a bolt of lightning hit him on the chest.
“He twisted and fell down,” said Mpongolo, adding she lost consciousness but recovered after a few minutes.
“The baby, who was on my lap, was flung away from me. I found her nicely wrapped on the other half of the rondavel and thought she was dead.
“But she was not even dazed despite Ntondolowana lying dead not far from her.”
The injured – including two pregnant women – were rushed to Madwaleni Hospital.
Four women, Nowandile Qavile, Nosithile Nkowane, Nosibonise Magida and Ncinciza Mlinganiso were confirmed dead on arrival.
They are all related and come from the same village except for Mlinganiso, who lives in a neighbouring village.
Twelve people were treated for minor injuries and discharged.
One women, Buliswa Mtshatshu, is still in hospital after complaining of headaches and pains in her body.
“I was serving coffee in the rondavel when the the lightning struck,” said Mtshatshu, Xhinti’s daughter-in-law.
“I woke up here in hospital with headache, pains on my waist and neck.
“I am told that four of my relatives died there.”
Yesterday when the Daily Dispatch visited the area, neither Mpongolo or her grandchild showed any visible effects of the strike.
Villagers, local traditional leaders, local government officials and the ward councillor converged on the homestead yesterday.
Xhinti’s son Mlamli Sitoto said the incident had left them traumatised.
“People came to mourn with us. But now those mourners who came to cry with us were struck and killed by lightning.
“They left the comfort of their homes healthy and alive and now they will come back in their homes dead and in coffins.
“This is so painful to us and leaves us with many questions as to why God let this happen,” said Sitoto, whose is married to Mtshatshu.
He said two of his goats were found dead about 300m away from their homestead.
Village headman Lurheyi Thongana said said the affected families were poor and appealed for assistance in the burials. — lulamilef@dispatch.co.za.