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Walter Mswazie Masvingo Correspondent
A TEACHER and a Form Two pupil at Redza Secondary School in Zaka died when a bolt of lightning struck them as they sat under a tree, police confirmed yesterday.

Theresa Mukaka, 45, and Charles Farai, 14, all of Mukaka Village under Chief Ndanga, were rushed to Ndanga District Hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Acting Masvingo police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Kudakwashe Dehwa said the incident occurred on Saturday at around 4PM.

He said Zaka resident magistrate Dorothy Mwanyisa waived postmortem.

Asst Insp Dehwa said: “Surprisingly it wasn’t raining and the two were under the tree to shelter from the sun.

“They were rushed to Ndanga District Hospital and pronounced dead. They are expected to be buried early this week in their village”.

Chief Ndanga said the whole area was in shock.

He said it was disturbing that a bolt of lightning came out of the blue and struck the two on a clear day.

“We’re still shocked about what happened at Redza Secondary School where a female teacher and her pupil were struck by lightning and died. The most disturbing thing is that it wasn’t raining,” said Chief Ndanga.

Lightning has claimed three people in Masvingo since the beginning of the year. Late last month a Chivi woman was fatally struck by lightning when it started raining while she was coming from a church service.