MBOMBELA – A 30-year-old woman who worked at Timbali Technology Incubator at Friedenheim was struck and killed by lightning on Thursday afternoon.
Ms Siphiwe Sgirivao Mandlazi was a seasonal farmer labourer who worked in the nursery on the farm.
She is survived by her sister, Ms Jabulile Mandlazi, and four children. According to Ms Busisiwe Mkhize, spokesman for Timbali, the incident happened at around 14:15. “Siphiwe was working in the field when there was a flash of lightning and she collapsed,” she said. Timbali’s first aid expert rushed to help her but could not feel a pulse and ER24 was contacted.
The paramedics arrived within 15 minutes and resuscitated Siphiwe. She was taken to Mediclinic Nelspruit and admitted to ICU, but died half an hour later.
“Siphiwe had only been with us for a year, but she was a valued and loved member of the Timbali family,” said Mkhize.
“Our hearts go out to her family and children.” She added that trauma counselling had been made available for Timbali staff.
