A lightning strike in Masvingo’s Central Business District has left residents stunned after it reportedly removed a city council clamp from a car parked at the Tsungai Complex Building. The incident occurred during a thunderstorm, causing damage to the building’s upper structure, but miraculously, no one was injured.

Witnesses describe the event as “supernatural,” saying the clamp came off immediately after the lightning strike. The car belonged to an alleged village head, and the incident has sparked widespread discussion among locals, with many taking to social media to share their thoughts.

Some residents are attributing the incident to supernatural forces, while others are offering scientific explanations. One social media user suggested that the lightning’s electromagnetic pulse could have heated and expanded the metal clamp, popping it open. Others are skeptical, questioning the timing and circumstances of the event .

Emergency services were called to the scene to assess the damage and ensure public safety. Authorities have yet to officially comment on the incident, but the unusual event has certainly captured the attention of Masvingo residents.

The incident has also raised questions about the safety of buildings and vehicles during thunderstorms. Lightning strikes can cause significant damage to electronics and infrastructure, and it’s essential for residents to take necessary precautions to ensure their safety.

Similar incidents of lightning strikes have been reported in Zimbabwe, highlighting the country’s vulnerability to such events. In 2023, a family in south-eastern Zimbabwe lost four children when their hut was struck by lightning. Another incident occurred in December 2024, where a 10-year-old girl was killed by lightning while sleeping in her hut.

In Harare, two people were killed by lightning in a rare urban incident. In Lupane, two teenage girls, Sarah Sibanda (13) and Bongiwe Tshuma (14), were killed by a lightning strike while changing clothes after getting wet in the rain

These incidents are not isolated, as Zimbabwe is one of the world’s most lightning-prone countries, with up to 100 people killed by lightning strikes during the rainy season, mostly in rural areas .
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