07 Feb 2023

People have been advised to take proper measures to avoid being struck by lightning.

This follows an incident in which a nine-year-old school boy was struck to death by lightning at Block 1 location in Francistown on Saturday.

In an interview with BOPA on Monday, Kutlwano Police Station commander, Superintendent Neo Serumula said the deceased was playing with another child under a tree in the yard when lightning struck following a heavy thunderstorm.

He said the deceased was certified dead upon arrival at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital, where his body was lying for post mortem.

Superintendent Serumula said the other child, who survived was rushed to the hospital where he was treated for burns as well as shock and discharged immediately.

He urged people to stay away from objects that conduct electricity such as utility poles and tall trees.

The Kutlwano police chief was concerned that the parents of the deceased reported the incident to the authorities  two days after it occurred.

Meanwhile Kutlwano police are also investigating an incident in which a 20-year-old former pupil of Francistown Senior Secondary School committed suicide by hanging using a headgear.

Superintendent Serumula said the boy, who was awaiting his Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education results, was found hanging on the rafters of an outside toilet.

He further said the deceased, who was discovered by his relatives after a long search, did not leave behind any message as to why he took away his life. 

Police investigations continue.  Ends