Mamelodi Sundowns’ Development Player Dies, Lesiba Ramabulana Struck by Lightning After Contract Signing

• Promising young player, Lesiba Ramabulana, has died after he was struck by lightning in Seshego Zone 1, Limpopo
• Ramabulana had just signed a contract with the Mamelodi Sundowns developmental team before he was tragically killed
• Following the news of Lesiba Ramabulana's death, some South Africans are blaming the tragedy on witchcraft

A promising 21-year-old soccer player, who had just signed a deal with the Mamelodi Sundowns’ Developmental team, has been tragically killed.

Lesiba Ramabulana was struck by lightning while walking in a park in Seshego Zone 1, Limpopo.

Ramabulana was accompanied by a friend who was also struck by lightning. They were both rushed to hospital but Ramabulana was certified dead on arrival, the Review Online reported. His friend survived.

Ramabulana was well known in his area for his footballing skills and had just signed a contract with Mamelodi Sundowns, shortly before he passed away. The community has been shocked by his sudden passing and Limpopo’s MEC for Social Development has got his team to dispatch social workers to the area.

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“We know the family is obviously going through a lot, as they lost a young man who is said to be a promising soccer star. Our social workers will also extend the same service to the survivor and other affected parties,” MEC Nkakareng Rakgoale said.

Following the news of his death, many in the area believe it to be the work of witchcraft. Limpopo is known to be the home of witchcraft in South Africa.

Lesiba Ramabulana is not the first soccer star to be killed by lightning

As BBC once reported, Maritzburg United striker Luyanda Ntshangase died after being struck by lightning during a game. The player had been in an induced coma following the incident but later passed away.

TS Galaxy goalkeeper Melusi Buthelezi hospitalised, promising player stabbed during a hijacking in Soweto

In other tragic local football news, promising TS Galaxy shot-stopper, Melusi Buthelezi, has been admitted to the hospital after he was hijacked and stabbed over the weekend, Sports Brief reported.

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Buthelezi and his brother were travelling back from visiting their sick mother when they were hijacked by a group of men, Times Live reported. The incident happened at a petrol station in the township.

The 23-year-old has yet to concede a goal in top-flight football and has played the past three games for TS Galaxy. He got his big break against Kaizer Chiefs in the Nedbank Cup, a match which Galaxy won. He then went on to keep clean sheets against Swallows and AmaZulu as well.