Remains of 11 who were killed in Nigeria church collapse arrive in S.A
Then remains of 11 South Africans who were killed in Nigeria SCOAN collapse arrived just before 02:00hrs this morning in Pretoria South Africa.
Bereaved families can now start preparing for their burials.
Last September, more than 100 people died when a church building belonging to self-proclaimed prophet TB Joshua collapsed. And 85 of the victims were South Africans
The South African government has been working hand-in-hand with Nigeria to ensure their remains were repatriated.
74 bodies were brought back to South Africa in November last year but 11 could not be identified, leading to the delay.
The disaster occurred last September and a lengthy process followed to match DNA samples and identify the victims.
Leader of the inter-ministerial task team Jeff Radebe thanked the Nigerian government for assistance in ensuring the return of the bodies.
“It has been a long wait and we can say that our mission has been accomplished.
"The tragedy has touched the nerve of the young democratic South Africa,” said Radebe.
Radebe says he trusts the Nigerian investigation into the collapse will run its course.
Nigerian authorities have assured South Africa everything will be done to ensure the matter is not left hanging.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner in South Africa has assured South Africans that his country will not rest until it gets answers about the collapse.
“Let me assure you that ours is to adhere to rule of law," said Martins Cobham.
“ TB Joshua will have to stand before the court when the law takes process. So, he’ll be brought to book. I don’t want us to entertain any fear that TB Joshua will escape people from the court of law.
"He will be made to stand before a court of law, and make a statement. I want to assure you of that."
Bereaved families can now start preparing for their burials.
Last September, more than 100 people died when a church building belonging to self-proclaimed prophet TB Joshua collapsed. And 85 of the victims were South Africans
The South African government has been working hand-in-hand with Nigeria to ensure their remains were repatriated.
74 bodies were brought back to South Africa in November last year but 11 could not be identified, leading to the delay.
The disaster occurred last September and a lengthy process followed to match DNA samples and identify the victims.
Leader of the inter-ministerial task team Jeff Radebe thanked the Nigerian government for assistance in ensuring the return of the bodies.
“It has been a long wait and we can say that our mission has been accomplished.
"The tragedy has touched the nerve of the young democratic South Africa,” said Radebe.
Radebe says he trusts the Nigerian investigation into the collapse will run its course.
Nigerian authorities have assured South Africa everything will be done to ensure the matter is not left hanging.
Nigeria’s High Commissioner in South Africa has assured South Africans that his country will not rest until it gets answers about the collapse.
“Let me assure you that ours is to adhere to rule of law," said Martins Cobham.
“ TB Joshua will have to stand before the court when the law takes process. So, he’ll be brought to book. I don’t want us to entertain any fear that TB Joshua will escape people from the court of law.
"He will be made to stand before a court of law, and make a statement. I want to assure you of that."