President Jacob Zuma on Thursday vowed his government would do
everything it can to help the families of 67 South Africans believed killed in last week ’ s church collapse in Nigeria. Facing allegations that the South African government’ s response to the tragedy was tardy and inadequate, Zuma said he had appointed a ministerial task force to respond .
“ They will support families and do whatever is necessary to manage the impact of this tragedy , ” he said. A multi - storey hotel linked to controversial preacher and
televangelist TB Joshua collapsed on Friday, but it was Tuesday before Zuma announced any South African fatalities .
An advance team of 10 disaster management personnel , including doctors , only flew to Lagos on Wednesday , when hopes of finding remaining survivors had dimmed .
Almost a week after the collapse , doubts remain over the final toll . “ Rescue missions are still continuing after which we will know for sure how many citizens we have lost, ” Zuma said .
The South African government has played down suggestions that the delay was caused by the Nigerian authorities being slow to provide information about the tragedy .
International Relations Minister Maite Nkoana - Mashabane said Wednesday that Lagos was cooperating , describing relations between the two governments as “ very cordial and good ” .
But rescue workers on the scene have complained that Joshua ’ s staff at the “ Synagogue Church of All Nations ” impeded their work .
Dubbed “ The Prophet” by fanatical followers who believe he can predict the future , Joshua is politically well connected in Nigeria and beyond , counting presidents and prime ministers among his flock .
Nkoana - Mashabane did , however, say that “ working together with the Synagogue people has not been easy ” .
Source:NigeriaCamera
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