Lightning struck dead two oxen in Mvuthu area outside Victoria Falls last Friday, a day after the community gathered to pray for rain.
Acting Chief Mvuthu, Bishop Matata Sibanda said the whole community was still in shock on the incident.
“We had a day of prayer for traditionalists and churches on Thursday and a day later we had such tragedy which has never happened before. I was shocked when I got a call that lightning had struck two oxen and the whole community is still in shock too,” said the acting chief.
He said the idea of praying for rain was necessitated because the area had not received meaningful rains since the rainy season started.
“We wanted to appease spirits following damage caused by a storm at Ndlovu Secondary School. We haven’t received meaningful rains because traditionally our rain comes from the direction of Zambia but all the light showers that we have received come from Masue direction which we know will not be strong. However, we are worried when it causes such destruction, he added.
Chairman of Mvuthu village Paulos Ntini the two oxen belonged to Sam Dube and Alton Ncube of BH 26 in the area.
“They were grazing in the bush when they were found dead after being struck by lightning. We were excited that the rains had come after the prayer ceremony last Thursday but we are shocked at what then happened,” said Ntini.
Last month, Ndlovu Secondary School lost property worth hundreds of dollars when a storm destroyed roofs on 10 blocks, teachers’ cottages and a nearby clinic, civil registry office and grinding mills in what villagers believe is a sign that ancestors are angry. Kachechete ward councillor Givemeagain Moyo said the prayer session was combined with traditional rituals.
Rituals were done at the school, teacher’s cottages and nearby, clinic, Registry office and grinding mill which were also damaged by the storm on the same day last month.
“Everyone gathered for a prayer session on Thursday and each was assigned to go and continue with fasting and rituals at their respective places. We were happy that it rained on Friday but the sad news of lighting that struck cattle dampened the mood,” said Moyo.
A herd of three cattle was struck dead by lightning in nearby Chidobe around the same time last year while recently, 16 cattle belonging to three families were struck dead in Lupane.
The three families buried the carcasses under the ground while Lion Encounter took the Mvuthu ones to feed domesticated lions.
