12 killed by lightning in Nongoma

Seven people died in Nongoma this past weekend after having been struck by lightning.
According to Zululand District Deputy Mayor, Esther Qwabe, the nine victims had sought refuge from the storm in a rondavel with a corrugated iron roof at a homestead in the Nongoma area.
The nine are said to have been attending a traditional function hosted by a Khoza family within the area.
Seven are said to have died on impact whilst the other two died later in hospital.
Seventeen people who were in the same rondavel are said to have sustained injuries and were treated at Benedictine Hospital and discharged later.
Soon after this incident, two more people were struck dead by lightning in Bhanganoma, also near Nongoma, while another person was killed and 12 injured in a lightning strike in Mbazwana in the same municipality.
The provincial government says lightning conductors will be installed at the homes of all the victims of the storms.
The provincial government has promised to help with the funerals of those that were victims and counselling has been organised for the families, including children who witnessed the tragedy.