Update: Eleven killed by lightning
The provincial government has now promised to speed up the roll-out of lightning conductors in areas prone to severe electrical storms.
IN what is believed to have been one of the most deadly spates of lightning strikes in decades, 11 people were killed and four schools closed after storms wreaked havoc at inland towns from KwaMachi near Harding to Nhlalwane near St Faith’s last week.
Punishing winds, hail, heavy rain and lightning lashed these areas damaging many homes and schools within the district. Six people from KwaMachi were killed in two separate storms and 40 others injured. Three people also died in the uMzimkhulu area and another in Oshabeni, near Louisiana.
Four schools – Mzokhanyayo Primary in Harding, Nhlalwane Primary, Dubandlela High and Nomageja Primary near Sr Faith’s- were damaged.
Spokesman for Ugu District Municipality France Zama said the municipality would provide relief to the families who had been badly affected.
“Ugu mayor Ntombifikile Gumede has already visited the affected families to distribute blankets and food parcels. The district municipality, together with the local municipalities, has conducted an assessment which will be submitted to the provincial disaster management and the relevant departments for their urgent intervention,” said Mr Zama.
Ugu’s disaster management teams are still monitoring the situation and helping to reconstruct damaged schools and properties.
KZN MEC for Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) Nomusa Dube-Ncube has extended condolences to the bereaved families. Dube-Ncube visited some families during the week and also ordered that more lighting conductors be provided to the affected areas.
“We wish to assure the public that they are not facing these natural disasters without a helping hand from the provincial government. We are deeply saddened by this latest tragedy which happened barely a day after we were still trying to come to terms with the double tragedy at KwaMachi,” she said.
She urged the rural community to exercise caution during these months when incidents of this nature tended to occur most frequently.
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