Synagogue Church Collapse: South African victims’ relations set to sue TB Joshua
Category: News About Pastors & Churches
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| South African President, Mr Jacob Zuma |
Two South Africans who lost relatives when a church hostel in Lagos collapsed have told the BBC they intend to sue the General Overseer of Synagogue Church of All Nations, Pastor Temitope Joshua.
The BBC reported that the two
men, who both lost sisters in the collapse, were appealing for more
families to come together in bringing a case against the preacher.
At least 115 people, including 84 South Africans, died when the multi-storey building fell down on September 12.
The authorities said it had more floors than its foundation could hold.
On Sunday, Joshua announced plans to travel to South Africa to visit the families of the deceased.
Officials suspect the foundations were not suitable for extra floors to be added to the building
Emergency workers alleged they were
prevented from participating in the rescue, only gaining full access to
the site on Sunday afternoon. But Joshua had denied these accusations.
“I understand that some families are
afraid to take on someone who purports to be God’s messenger and I don’t
blame them but I will do this,” Thanduxolo Doro, whose sister died in
the Lagos collapse said.
Thanduxolo Doro and Mpho Molebatsi waited
at Johannesburg’s OR Tambo airport for days after the
collapse for news
of their sisters, who had been visiting SCOAN.
Both families had last heard from their relatives hours before the collapse.
“It is not that the building collapsed,
rather what was done after the collapse – we didn’t get any news from
the church,” Doro, whose sister Vathiswa Madikiza died, told the BBC.
“When I contacted them they wouldn’t tell
me anything. We saw reports that emergency workers were denied access
initially, access that could have saved lives. The actions of the church
after the incident are very telling,” he said.
In an open letter published in South Africa’s Star newspaper, Doro called on more families to sue Joshua.
“I need to do this for her. Even if I stand alone, I am determined to see that something is done,” he told the BBC.
“I understand that some families are
afraid to take on someone who purports to be God’s messenger and I don’t
blame them but I will do this,” he said.
Doro said he was informed by South
African officials about his sister’s death this week, but had to wait
for the results of the DNA tests before her body could be repatriated
for burial.
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