By Sukuoluhle Ndlovu
Masvingo – 40 year old Kamurai Chiganda was struck by lightning and died on the spot. The incident happened at around 4 pm on the 8th of December and took place in Chirume Village under Chief Nyamandi, Gutu.
Masvingo police spokesperson Charity Mazula confirmed the incident.
The deceased and Francis Mushayavanhu aged 28 of Zvinorwadza Village under Chief Nyamandi were at Smart Mucheyezas’ house flooring the floor and at 16:30 it started raining and the deceased who was not wearing any shoes decided to rest on his bicycle. As the reins began he was instantly struck by lightning and died instantly.
His other colleague tried to render first aid on him but it did not help in any way. Study results released by the University of Zimbabwe in 1991 after research spanning seven years showed that lightning fatalities in the country average some 90 to 120 per annum. Of all the districts, Gutu which is quite populous led with about 10 fatalities per annum.
