Prophet T.B. Joshua: Nigeria faces diplomatic row with South Africa.
Prophet T.B. Joshua: Nigeria faces diplomatic row with South Africa.
By Kelechi Deca
There are indications that relations between Nigerian and South Africa may hit the rocks. This is contrary to the expression of friendliness by the South African government officials towards their Nigerian counterparts since the collapse of the guest house belonging to Synagogue Church for All Nations which killed over 80 South Africans. A source at the South African Deputy High Commission Lagos highlighted that many in South Africa are unhappy towards the Nigerian government for not rising to the occasion as soon as the building collapsed. The source who quoted a senior government official in Pretoria said that the death toll rose to this level because the Nigerian government abdicated its duties in seeing that rescue operations and equipment was dispatched to the scene immediately the news of the incident filtered in. “If this was done, more lives would have been saved, rather, they waited for over 72 hours with the lame excuse that the Church’s security and members prevented rescued operation, this is unheard of and we are holding them responsible” says the official. Our source refused to name the official because of the sensitivity of the issue. But he maintained that if not properly handled, it will escalate to a more serious issue because the South African government is under intense pressure from its people over the matter.
To douse the tension being generated by the tragedy, the South African government officials were told not to make comments that will inflate an already tension soaked situation. This informed the comments last week by South Africa’s Justice Minister Jeff Radebe who while welcoming the 25 survivors at the Swartkop Air Force Base thanked the Nigerian government for its co-operation but reflected the mounting dissatisfaction in SA about the slow response by emergency services and reports that staff at the Synagogue Church of All Nations initially obstructed rescuers. He noted that the South African government is keenly waiting for the investigation that is being conducted by the Nigerian government before they take actions because what happened has caused them a national disaster.
Indications emerged that South African officials have expressed their surprises in private that it took weeks before the Federal government sent any form of condolence message which they said was sharp contrast with the statements of support their country made to Nigeria after Boko Haram abducted over 200 girls in April. This attitude they say shows lack of respect for South Africa by Nigerian government officials. This was even after President Jacob Zuma spoke with President Goodluck Jonathan as soon as the incident was made known. Though President Goodluck Jonathan visited the church and promised to investigate the cause of the tragedy. He said he would hold talks with stakeholders in the construction industry on how to prevent a repeat of the tragedy, adding that he had expressed his sympathies to President Jacob Zuma.
This unfortunate development according to an official at the Nigerian High Commission, in Pretoria will bring a lot of other issues to the front burner, the relationship between the two countries has been dodged with one problem or the other from the disagreements over immigration issues, visa and Yellow Fever Certificates, and now this, and the ongoing investigations into alleged money laundering case involving two Nigerians and an Israeli over $9.3 million South Africa by a private jet from Abuja. The case was even made worse when the federal government of Nigeria acknowledged ownership of the money, saying the trip was officially sanctioned by the government. A claim the South African government is yet to accept as the true version of things. Our source said that contrary to the claim of corporation from the Nigerian government by South Africa, the wound is running skin deep and it may manifest in other areas than we think. According to him, South Africans don’t forget events like this that easy. For peace to reign, Nigeria must be seen to have handled the issue beyond suspicion and those guilty brought to book, anything less than that will lead to an escalation of diplomatic row that will not be to the gains of both country, he warned.
There are also claims that a cross section of South African youth is opposed to the planned visit of Prophet T.B Joshua to their country. Pastor Joshua said that he will visit the country in the coming weeks to meet families and survivors of a building collapse at his church that killed 115 people. It is believed that there were about 350 South Africans visiting the church at the time of the collapse. Meanwhile, two men who lost their sisters in the accident said they will sue Prophet T.B Joshua over the incident.
They claim that they are basing their claims on the act that the foundation of the building was not suitable for extra floors to be added yet the Church added extra floors. Also, they said that reports show that emergency workers allege they were prevented from participating in the rescue, only gaining full access to the site after 72 hours, an accusations denied by Pastor Joshua's Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN).
According to Thanxudo Doro whose sister died in the collapse, “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 that he waited for days with Mpho Molebatsi who also lost his sister, news of their sisters, who had been visiting SCOAN and nobody gave them any information."It is not that the building collapsed, rather what was done after the collapse - we didn't get any news from the church," Mr Doro, whose sister Vathiswa Madikiza died,said. "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. That is why we are suing them, he added..
By Kelechi Deca
There are indications that relations between Nigerian and South Africa may hit the rocks. This is contrary to the expression of friendliness by the South African government officials towards their Nigerian counterparts since the collapse of the guest house belonging to Synagogue Church for All Nations which killed over 80 South Africans. A source at the South African Deputy High Commission Lagos highlighted that many in South Africa are unhappy towards the Nigerian government for not rising to the occasion as soon as the building collapsed. The source who quoted a senior government official in Pretoria said that the death toll rose to this level because the Nigerian government abdicated its duties in seeing that rescue operations and equipment was dispatched to the scene immediately the news of the incident filtered in. “If this was done, more lives would have been saved, rather, they waited for over 72 hours with the lame excuse that the Church’s security and members prevented rescued operation, this is unheard of and we are holding them responsible” says the official. Our source refused to name the official because of the sensitivity of the issue. But he maintained that if not properly handled, it will escalate to a more serious issue because the South African government is under intense pressure from its people over the matter.
To douse the tension being generated by the tragedy, the South African government officials were told not to make comments that will inflate an already tension soaked situation. This informed the comments last week by South Africa’s Justice Minister Jeff Radebe who while welcoming the 25 survivors at the Swartkop Air Force Base thanked the Nigerian government for its co-operation but reflected the mounting dissatisfaction in SA about the slow response by emergency services and reports that staff at the Synagogue Church of All Nations initially obstructed rescuers. He noted that the South African government is keenly waiting for the investigation that is being conducted by the Nigerian government before they take actions because what happened has caused them a national disaster.
Indications emerged that South African officials have expressed their surprises in private that it took weeks before the Federal government sent any form of condolence message which they said was sharp contrast with the statements of support their country made to Nigeria after Boko Haram abducted over 200 girls in April. This attitude they say shows lack of respect for South Africa by Nigerian government officials. This was even after President Jacob Zuma spoke with President Goodluck Jonathan as soon as the incident was made known. Though President Goodluck Jonathan visited the church and promised to investigate the cause of the tragedy. He said he would hold talks with stakeholders in the construction industry on how to prevent a repeat of the tragedy, adding that he had expressed his sympathies to President Jacob Zuma.
This unfortunate development according to an official at the Nigerian High Commission, in Pretoria will bring a lot of other issues to the front burner, the relationship between the two countries has been dodged with one problem or the other from the disagreements over immigration issues, visa and Yellow Fever Certificates, and now this, and the ongoing investigations into alleged money laundering case involving two Nigerians and an Israeli over $9.3 million South Africa by a private jet from Abuja. The case was even made worse when the federal government of Nigeria acknowledged ownership of the money, saying the trip was officially sanctioned by the government. A claim the South African government is yet to accept as the true version of things. Our source said that contrary to the claim of corporation from the Nigerian government by South Africa, the wound is running skin deep and it may manifest in other areas than we think. According to him, South Africans don’t forget events like this that easy. For peace to reign, Nigeria must be seen to have handled the issue beyond suspicion and those guilty brought to book, anything less than that will lead to an escalation of diplomatic row that will not be to the gains of both country, he warned.
There are also claims that a cross section of South African youth is opposed to the planned visit of Prophet T.B Joshua to their country. Pastor Joshua said that he will visit the country in the coming weeks to meet families and survivors of a building collapse at his church that killed 115 people. It is believed that there were about 350 South Africans visiting the church at the time of the collapse. Meanwhile, two men who lost their sisters in the accident said they will sue Prophet T.B Joshua over the incident.
They claim that they are basing their claims on the act that the foundation of the building was not suitable for extra floors to be added yet the Church added extra floors. Also, they said that reports show that emergency workers allege they were prevented from participating in the rescue, only gaining full access to the site after 72 hours, an accusations denied by Pastor Joshua's Synagogue, Church of All Nations (SCOAN).
According to Thanxudo Doro whose sister died in the collapse, “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 that he waited for days with Mpho Molebatsi who also lost his sister, news of their sisters, who had been visiting SCOAN and nobody gave them any information."It is not that the building collapsed, rather what was done after the collapse - we didn't get any news from the church," Mr Doro, whose sister Vathiswa Madikiza died,said. "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. That is why we are suing them, he added..
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