Exactly a year later after five farmworkers died due to heatstroke in the Northern Cape, three workers died on duty after they were struck by lightning in Barkly West and Riverton outside Kimberley respectively.
Cora de Kock, co-owner of Wildeklawer farm, said the incident was the first of its kind in 37 years of the farm operations. She added that the two incidents happened within a short space of time.
Agri tragedy
According to De Kock, the summer months bring peak activity with around 2 000 people working daily on the farms. She said the foreman, Sam Stevens, decided to take the workers off the field as the weather patterns were changing.
Stevens said when rain approaches, the farm deploys busses as a standard practice. These busses provide shelter for employees until the weather subsides, ensuring that no one is exposed to the dangers of working in rain or lightning.
“The employees were already heading to the warehouse. As we approached the bus, lightning struck. It wasn’t even that loud. It had not started to rain yet but directly after the first lightning strike, a second one struck approximately 110m away from the first one. Nine people were struck, falling to the ground.”
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A frightening afternoon
“Onneile Andrew Koji (51) from Taung, and Moatlhodi Godfrey Mokoena (26) from Barkly-West died on impact. Only after that did it start to rain,” Stevens said.
He confirmed that the other workers have since been discharged from hospital. “We ran around to help everyone. We called Rocket HEMS, the air ambulance, to airlift one injured person. The other six were taken by ambulance to Mediclinic Gariep,” he said.
While the community was still shocked at what had happened, nature struck again at another farm, Romance, just opposite Riverton. De Kock said Lemogang Anthony Selebogo (19) was struck in the fields and passed away.
“The employees were already evacuated when they noticed it had become overcast and were waiting in the busses. Again, the rain only started after the lightning struck,” De Kock explained.
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Safety first
Agri Northern Cape chief executive officer Dirk Krapohl has called on food producers to ensure that the safety and well-being of workers are always prioritised at all times.
“Agri Northern Cape appeals to our farming communities in the Northern Cape to take the necessary steps to protect our farmworkers during thunderstorms. The province is experiencing severe thunderstorms in certain parts therefore it’s important to be on alert,” he added.
Sergeant Molefi Shemane of the South African Police Service confirmed that inquest dockets were opened and police were still investigating the incident.
The department of agriculture, environmental affairs, rural development and land reform in the province said they are making a passionate plea to all role players to practice precautionary measures during thunderstorms and avoid touching electrical equipment.
Providing the necessary support
Saamtrek Saamwerk chairperson in the province, Sehularo Sehularo, said the incidents were unfortunate and the loss of lives was regrettable.
“It is quite a sad and devastating experience, especially to the co-workers, families and the employer. No one goes to work or sent workers on the field to die. We hope that necessary counselling and support will be given to all affected at this time.
“This is not the time to point fingers but to give support to the farming community,” he said.
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