Police have urged the public to avoid using electronic gadgets during thunderstorms to reduce the risk of being struck by lightning.
This warning follows a tragic incident at Chimurenga Mine in Vanguard, Mberengwa, last Wednesday, where three people were killed and five others injured by a lightning strike around 4 PM.
The deceased were identified as Simbarashe Chimombe (23), Clemence Mucheri (36) from Buhera, and Pardon Ncube (23) from Zvishavane.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson for Midlands Province, Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko, confirmed the incident. He said:
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Police are appealing to the public to avoid the use of cellphones, landlines or any other electronic gadgets that may attract lightning during rains.
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The incident occurred when eight miners were constructing a wooden residential cabin at the mine, and it began to rain.
They sought shelter in a nearby wooden cabin, but lightning struck the cabin, killing three miners instantly and injuring five others.
Other miners quickly rushed to the cabin after hearing the survivors’ cries for help. The injured were taken to Mberengwa District Hospital, where they are reported to be in stable condition.

Pindula News

Three people died and five were hurt by lightning at a mine in Mberengwa. Police say don't use phones or electronics in a storm to stay safe. The victims were building a cabin when it started to rain. They went into another cabin for shelter, but lightning struck, killing three and injuring five. Rescue teams came to help. The injured are now in the hospital and doing okay. Be careful during storms and stay safe.

Three Dead, Five Injured In Lightning Strike At Mberengwa Mine

Three people were killed and three others seriously injured by a lightning bolt while seeking shelter from a thunderstorm in a shop at Vanguard Mine Shopping Centre in Mberengwa on Wednesday night.
Mberengwa District Development Coordinator Vafios Hlabati confirmed the tragic incident and urged the public to take necessary precautions to avoid lightning strikes.
During thunderstorms, it’s crucial to take safety measures. These include seeking shelter indoors, staying away from tall objects, and avoiding open fields, hilltops, or isolated trees, as lightning tends to strike the tallest objects in the area.
If caught outside with no shelter available, crouch down with your feet together, hands over your ears, and head between your knees—avoiding lying flat on the ground.
Also, refrain from swimming or taking a shower during a storm, and avoid contact with lakes, rivers, and other bodies of water.
Avoid touching metal objects like fences, pipes, and electrical appliances during a thunderstorm.
If you see lightning, count the seconds until you hear thunder. If it’s 30 seconds or less, the storm is within six miles, and you should seek shelter immediately. Remain indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap.
Unplug electronic devices to protect them from power surges caused by lightning.

Three people were killed by lightning at a mine in Mberengwa, Zimbabwe. Officials warn to take precautions during thunderstorms like seeking shelter indoors, staying away from tall objects, and not swimming or showering. If caught outside, crouch down with feet together and head between knees. Avoid touching metal objects and unplug electronics. If you see lightning, count the seconds until thunder—if it's 30 seconds or less, seek shelter immediately. Remember to stay indoors for at least 30 minutes after the last thunderclap to stay safe.

Lightning Strike Kills Three At Vanguard Mine In Mberengwa

A 103-year-old grandmother, Mrs Loice Madzirerusa of Batsira Village, Marange, was tragically struck and killed by a lightning bolt while handling metal kitchen utensils in her kitchen hut during a thunderstorm early this month.
Assistant Inspector Wiseman Chinyoka, the acting spokesperson for the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) in Manicaland Province, confirmed the incident to <a href="https://www.manicapost.co.zw/lightning-bolt-kills-granny-103/">The Manica Post</a>.
He said Madzirerusa’s body was retrieved from the burning house by her relatives, who managed to prevent it from being severely charred. Said Chinyoka:
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On January 2, 2025, the deceased was weeding in her yard when a rainstorm began. She sought shelter in her kitchen hut and started arranging kitchen utensils, including metal cups and plates that were scattered around the room.
Tragically, a lightning bolt struck the hut’s roof, causing a fire. Mrs Winnie Ndoro (70), discovered the blaze and noticed that the deceased had fallen.
Mrs Ndoro and Ms Lynette Jera dragged the deceased to the main house. Ms Jera alerted other villagers, but upon gathering, they found that Mrs Madzirerusa had passed away.
Mrs Ndoro informed the police by phone, and police officers attended the scene. The body was taken to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital for post-mortem.
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Chinyoka urged the public to prioritise safety during the rainy season, as rainstorms can produce deadly lightning and cause sudden, unexpected flooding, which can sweep away both people and vehicles. He said:
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People are encouraged to erect lightning conductors, avoid being in contact with metal objects, not to be in open spaces when it is raining.
We are urging members of the public to follow and adhere to these and other precautionary and safety measures as advised by experts.
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

A 103-year-old grandmother in Marange was killed by lightning while handling spoons in her kitchen during a thunderstorm. Her body was found by relatives in a burning house. Police confirmed the incident and urged people to be safe during the rainy season, as lightning and flooding can be dangerous. They advised to stay away from metal objects and open spaces during rain. It's important to take precautions to stay safe during bad weather.

103-Year-Old Grandmother Killed By Lightning While Handling Spoons In Marange

Four siblings were burnt to death after a grass-thatched hut they were sleeping in was struck by a bolt of lightning in Buhera District on 16 October.
Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the incident which occurred around 2 AM at Hara Village in Murambinda. He said:
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police confirms the death of four siblings, Wilfred Hara (9 months), Melinda Hara (5), Michael Hara (5), and Marvis Hara (11) after the thatched hut they were sleeping in with their mother, Evernice Takaedzwa (31) was struck by a bolt of lightning resulting in the hut catching fire on 16th October 2023 at around 0200 hours at Hara Village, Murambinda, Buhera.
Evernice Takaedzwa escaped and sought assistance from neighbours while the victims were trapped inside the hut. Villagers failed to put out the fire resulting in the victims being burnt to death in the inferno.
The bodies were later retrieved from the hut through an opening created on the wall.
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Asst Comm Nyathi said on the same day, in Chireya, Gokwe District, a male infant, Elvis Sikhosana (2) was killed by a hailstorm. He added:
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The Zimbabwe Republic Police is deeply saddened by the loss of life. As the rainy season approaches, we implore the public to follow lightning safety tips such as avoiding being in open spaces and hiding under tall structures like trees while it is raining.
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More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Four Buhera Siblings Burnt To Death Following Lightning Strike; Gokwe Toddler Killed By Hailstorm

A 42-year-old man was fatally struck by a bolt of lightning on Tuesday while walking with his girlfriend along a footpath in Cowdray Park, Bulawayo.
Police said Peter Gwaza died on the spot while his 30-year-old girlfriend, Priority Dube was seriously injured when the lightning struck. Police said:
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The ZRP reports a sad incident in which Peter Gwaza (42) and his girlfriend Priority Dube (30) were struck by a bolt of lightning on 03/01/23 while walking along a footpath in Cowdray Park.
Peter Gwaza died on the spot while Priority Dube sustained burns on the stomach and bruises on her hands and face.
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In an unrelated but sad incident, the ZRP said two children, a boy and a girl, accidentally dropped a toddler they were playing with resulting in him hitting a big stone with his head which killed him instantly. Police said in a statement:
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The ZRP reports a sad incident in which a boy (6) and girl (8), who were playing while swinging a one year and eight months old boy holding the hands and legs, lost grip of the child resulting in him falling down with the head hitting onto a big stone.
The victim died on the spot and the body was taken to a local hospital mortuary for post-mortem. Investigations are underway.
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Two Lovers Struck By Lightning In Cowdray Park

A lightning bolt struck dead two oxen in the Mvuthu area outside Victoria Falls last Friday, a day after the community had gathered to pray for rain and to break a dry spell.
Speaking to CITE, Acting Chief Mvuthu, Bishop Matata Sibanda said the whole community was shocked by the incident. He said:
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We had a day of prayer for traditionalists and churches on Thursday and a day later we had such a tragedy which has never happened before.
I was shocked when I got a call that lightning had struck two oxen and the whole community is still in shock too.
We wanted to appease spirits following damage caused by a storm at Ndlovu Secondary School.
We haven’t received meaningful rains because traditionally our rain comes from the direction of Zambia but all the light showers that we have received come from Masue direction which we know will not be strong.
However, we are worried that it caused such destruction.
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Chairman of Mvuthu village Paulos Ntini said that the two oxen belonged to Sam Dube and Alton Ncube of BH 26 in the area. Said Ntini:
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They were grazing in the bush when they were found dead after being struck by lightning.
We were excited that the rains had come after the prayer ceremony last Thursday but we are shocked at what then happened.
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Kachechete ward councillor Givemeagain Moyo also said the prayer session was combined with traditional rituals. Moyo said:
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Everyone gathered for a prayer session on Thursday and each was assigned to go and continue with fasting and rituals at their respective places.
We were happy that it rained on Friday but the sad news of lighting that struck cattle dampened the mood.
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Lightning strikes are common during the first half of Zimbabwe’s rainy season as most of the rainfall activity is of a conventional type. | <a href="https://cite.org.zw/lightning-kills-oxen-a-day-after-rainmaking-ceremony/">CITE</a>

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