By Romio Takundwa
A villager in Rushinga, ward 17 under Chief Rusambo is counting his losses after lightning struck dead seven of his cattle recently.
Tatenda Magara (36) said the lighting came about as a result of cyclone Ana which wreaked havoc in the area.
“The rains started at around 1900hours on Monday 31 January and we had retired to bed an hour or two after the heavy downpour.
“During that night there were some sounds of lightning bolts but l didn’t think that it was something to worry about.
“When l woke up in the morning intending to take the cattle to the dip tank, l realized that 7 cattle, 6 of mine and one belonging to my uncle had been killed as a result of a lightning strike during the night.
“Neighbors whose homestead is close to my kraal said they heard sounds of the cows mooing when a lightning bolt struck around midnight signifying that that was the cause of death for the cows,” he narrated.
When this reporter visited the kraal, the cows were being prepared for traditional rituals which will be held to avoid the re-occurrence of the same incident.
Rushinga District Veterinary Officer Advance Masasire confirmed to have received the report of the incident and advised farmers to insure their livestock so as to be cushioned in times like these.
