A day of cultural celebration at the annual Troop festival in Dertig turned to tragedy over the weekend when a lightning strike killed two people and injured dozens more. The incident has sparked criticism from a grieving family, who believe a faster official response could have saved lives.
The event, filled with singing and dancing, was interrupted by a sudden storm. Eyewitnesses described a scene of chaos as the lightning struck.
“When that lightning struck, we all fell to the ground. We didn’t know what was happening,” said one attendee. “We transported her to the clinic, but she lost her life on the way there.”
The family of one of the deceased has pointed a finger at local authorities, alleging that a delay in deploying emergency services contributed to the fatalities.
“Why did the municipality not do enough?” a family member asked. “The presence of medical personnel would have helped us. Both victims would still be alive today.”
In response, Moretele Local Municipality Councilor George Manyike, who was present at the festival, defended the municipality’s actions. He described a rapidly escalating situation, with the lightning strike occurring shortly after the rain began.
“I personally stand up and go there,” Councilor Manyike said, recounting how he was alerted that someone had been struck. “They were assisted… we, the disaster management, assisted them to take them to the local clinic.”
He confirmed that over 50 people were injured in the incident.
Authorities have since issued a reminder for residents to exercise extreme caution during sudden weather changes, especially at large outdoor gatherings. For the community of Dertig, however, the warnings come too late. The town is now united in grief, mourning the loss of two lives during what was meant to be a joyful celebration.