An act of nature has left two Komani families devastated after a lightning strike killed two children and left another fighting for his life in hospital.
Heavy rainfall in Komani on Sunday afternoon came as a respite for this part of the Chris Hani region, once declared a disaster area due to drought.
However, relief soon turned to tragedy for the people of Mlungisi township when five children from the community were struck by lightning.
Anelisa Maqolothi and Liyabona Tshoaedi, aged 14 and 11 respectively, were killed instantly, while Uluvuyo Ntingashe, aged 12, was seriously injured.
A fourth victim, 11-year-old Ahlume Baba, has since been discharged from hospital, while 12-year-old Sesethu Hlati sustained a burn wound to her nose.
Luvo Hlati said he witnessed the horrifying moment when lightning struck in the informal settlement.
He said he had sent his daughter Sesethu to fetch the family’s livestock which had been grazing on an open veld about 400m from their home.
The father stood at the front gate and said it had not been raining at the time.
He said he could see Sesethu walking back with the livestock in tow.
She was joined by four other children from the community but their paths soon separated as the others headed to their respective homes.
In an instant, lightning struck, hitting the children.
A horrified Hlati ran to where his daughter lay.
“The children were scattered all over the place. I ran to them and when I was close, my child got up and came to me.
“Another boy got up and started running.
“He kept falling but he was alive and I was happy. But the other two kids could not get up and they were not moving.”
Residents came rushing out. An ambulance, which happened to pass by at the time, was flagged down to help.
Two of the children were declared dead on the scene, while a seriously injured Uluvuyo was rushed to hospital.
Ahlume, Uluvuyo and Liyabona were cousins and lived in the same house in Mlungisi township. Their grieving aunt, Mthwakazi Baba, said the family were still trying to find out what happened exactly.
Liyabona’s distraught grandmother, Nontsikelelo Sidandalele, said the family were in shock.
“We don’t know how we are going to bury her.
“We don’t have money and no one ever plans to bury a child,” she said, appealing for help...