Two South Africans who lost relatives when a church hostel in Lagos
collapsed have told theBBCthey intend to sue the General Overseer of
Synagogue Church of All Nations, Pastor Temitope Joshua.
TheBBCreported 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 theBBC.
"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 theBBC.
"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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