Durban - Two cousins were struck by lightning and killed at their home in the uMshwathi area, near Wartburg, during a storm on Monday evening.
Sindi Khanyile, 22, and her cousin Zandile Khanyile, 31, were huddled in a room with six children they cared for when the tragedy occurred.
The children were unharmed.
The chairman of the IFP constituency in the area, Mzwandile Majozi, who was also a friend and lived in the neighbourhood, said the women died immediately.
They were both unemployed. Together with Zandile’s mother, Tholakele, they used to take care of the children, who were their orphaned relatives.
Majozi said the cousins, who had also been party members, were wonderful.
“They were very active, loyal and capable.” He said the storm, which was accompanied only by light rain, had not appeared to be severe. It wasn’t so bad as to expect anyone to be struck and killed. There was only one large flash of lightning. It must have been the same one that struck them.”
He said the party was assisting with funeral arrangements. IFP national chairman Blessed Gwala sent his condolences to the cousins’ family and friends. He said it was a terrible tragedy.
“The loss of such young lives is tragic and untimely. We pray for their family and friends and hope that such a tragedy will not befall any community again. This is a dark day for the community of uMshwathi.”
The Mercury