When The Sky Turned Deadly: Moretele Community Reels After Lightning Tragedy

What was meant to be a day of tradition, culture, and community unity turned into a moment of horror for residents of Moretele, just outside Pretoria. On Saturday, a lightning strike ripped through an annual traditional gathering, killing two people and leaving more than 150 others injured.

For a municipality that has hosted this ceremony for nearly two decades without incident, the shock is still raw.

A Celebration That Ended In Tragedy

Community members had gathered for the yearly traditional ceremony, an event that has been held for 18 years and is deeply rooted in local custom. Without warning, lightning struck the area where people were assembled, sending dozens to the ground.

Emergency services were quickly overwhelmed. More than 150 people required medical treatment for lightning-related injuries, while 13 critically injured patients were rushed to hospitals outside the area for specialised care. The two fatalities have left families and the broader community grappling with grief and disbelief.

Residents described scenes of panic, confusion, and people desperately trying to help one another in the immediate aftermath.

Hospitals, Families And A Community In Recovery

According to Abel Muthupi Malebye, spokesperson for the Moretele Local Municipality, most of those who sustained non life threatening injuries have since been discharged from hospital.

Municipal officials have visited the affected area and families, with social development teams set to provide counselling and psychosocial support to those impacted.

For many families, the emotional toll may last far longer than the physical injuries.

An Investigation Despite Nature’s Unpredictability

Although the incident has been classified as a natural disaster, municipal authorities have confirmed that an investigation is underway. The aim is not to assign blame, but to understand the circumstances and assess whether safety measures for large outdoor gatherings can be strengthened in the future.

Malebye noted that this was the first lightning related incident of its kind in the area, despite the event being held annually for nearly two decades.

A Stark Reminder For Outdoor Gatherings

The tragedy has sparked conversation on social media, with many South Africans expressing condolences while also raising concerns about weather awareness at outdoor cultural events. Some have called for better early warning systems and clearer emergency protocols, especially during storm season.

For communities like Moretele, near Pretoria, the incident is a painful reminder of how quickly nature can change the course of ordinary life.

As the municipality mourns its losses, the focus now turns to healing, learning, and ensuring that future celebrations can be held with greater awareness of the risks that come with the open sky.

{Source:EWN}

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