Limpopo – Three people were killed and five others injured after lightning struck a church tent during a night service at Radimana village in Limpopo in the early hours of Sunday.
According to Arrive Alive, the incident occurred at about 01:00 on 14 December 2025 in the Senwabarwana policing area while congregants were attending an overnight church service inside a tent erected in an open field.
Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe said the congregation was caught off guard when severe weather set in.
“It is reported that the church congregation was having a night church service inside a tent at Radimana village when it started to rain heavily with thunderstorms,” she said.
Three people were killed by lightning during a night church service inside a tent at Radimana villagehttps://t.co/ZT3ceEoGSp#ArriveAlive @SAWeatherServic @ReenvalSA @SAPoliceService pic.twitter.com/Yx6qCHaeYj
— Arrive Alive (@_ArriveAlive) December 15, 2025
“While they were busy singing, lightning unexpectedly struck inside the tent that was situated in an open field,” Hadebe added.
Eight people, aged between 12 and 56 and believed to be residents of Sefihlampyana village, were injured in the strike and rushed to a nearby healthcare centre. Three victims — one man and two women — were certified dead on arrival.
The deceased were identified by their next of kin as Ribson Mothemane (46), Mosibudi Mokgobu (44) and Glenda Modjadji Ntjana (36).
The remaining five injured congregants were later transferred to a local hospital for further medical treatment.
Police have opened an inquest docket to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Lieutenant General Hadebe urged communities to be vigilant during extreme weather conditions.
“I encourage members of the community to take precautionary measures, especially during this rainy season,” she said.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
