One person has been killed and three more are in a critical condition following a lightning storm in Ward 5 in KwaZulu-Natal's Mooi-Mpofana Local Municipality.
The Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (Cogta) said the family were in their home in Townview at around 2pm when lightning struck.
Thirty-seven-year-old Sifiso James Mkhize was killed and two more relatives from the Mkhize home; an infant and two adults, were rushed to hospital in critical condition.
KZN Cogta MEC Reverend Thulasizwe Buthelezi has extended his condolences to the family. and has directed disaster response teams to provide the necessary support to the family and wishes a speedy recovery to those injured.
Meanwhile, Cogta said disaster management teams are busy with mop up operations after thunderstorms hit the uMgungundlovu District.
"The storm caused damage across 10 wards within the Msunduzi Local Municipality, uprooting trees, damaging homes and schools, and affecting power lines. Technical service teams are working to reconnect services," the MEC said.
He added that assessments of the extent of the damage are ongoing, and efforts are being made to restore normality to the affected areas as swiftly as possible.
Meanwhile, two homes caught fire following lightning strikes in Phoenix and Manor Gardens. At both scenes, eThekwini Fire, police, local security and residents assisted and no injuries were reported.
IOL News