Prayers for EL editor feared killed in hostel collapse.
After a week of waiting for news, the East London family of an editor was praying hard yesterday after reports that he may have been among the 84 dead in the rubble of a collapsed church guesthouse in Lagos, Nigeria, on Friday.
Meanwhile, allegations of obstructing rescue attempts and refusing to answer queries for information from desperate South African delegations are mounting against Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) officials.
Yesterday, details of the dead and injured and the cause of the sudden collapse of the guesthouse remained shrouded in secrecy.
In Beacon Bay, East London, the family and friends of Let’s Praise Christian magazine editor, Ponko Masiba, held prayers for him at his home while waiting for confirmation of his death.
Attempts by the Daily Dispatch to speak to Masiba’s wife, Tobeka, were unsuccessful as she was “too distraught to comment”. Masiba and Tobeka were married only three weeks ago.
Masiba’s friend, Xolisa Mgwatyu, described him as a confidant and brother.
“I’ve known Ponko since 2000, and since then we have been friends,” said Mgwatyu.
Nalita Nayo, whose brother also has not yet been accounted for, said the church did not seem to understand the devastating effect the catastrophe was having on the families.
“We’ve heard that Gift of the Givers and other South African officials who were trying to help rescue our people were turned away.
“That has really hurt us as the family,” Nayo said.
“Our hope is that Scoan church officials and South African officials will bring us some news of our relatives.
“For them to prevent rescue attempts is upsetting and disappointing. My mother has not slept and she can’t eat since this happened.”
Eastern Cape premier, Phumulo Masualle, sent messages of condolence to victims’ families.
Speaking through his spokeswoman, Mandisa Titi, Masualle said: “This disaster has sent shockwaves throughout the Eastern Cape.
“Affected families and friends lived through a very traumatic week from the time we got to know about this catastrophe.
“The premier, on behalf of the people of the province, extends his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.”
Dozens of families are still living with the anxiety of not knowing or hearing any news, all the while hoping that their relatives could still be pulled from the rubble alive.
Masualle urged families awaiting news of their loved ones to contact the Department of International Relations for information.
The Sunday Times reported an aftermath of the disaster characterised by “chaos, incompetence and lies”, with reporters detailing how Nigerian authorities and Scoan church officials frustrated efforts by South Africa to send a special search-and-rescue mission that could have helped reduce fatalities.
Scoan had not responded to questions at the time of going to print, but a message of condolences on the church’s website read: “Those who lost their lives in the incident died not in vain; they died martyrs of the kingdom of God.
“It is sorrowful indeed that we have our people from South Africa among the affected.
“South Africa has long been a true friend of Scoan – a partner in faith and in prayer.”
Yesterday, the department’s spokesman, Nelson Kgwete, referred questions to the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS).
GCIS spokeswoman, Phumla Williams, had not responded at the time of going to print. — siyam@dispatch.co.za
Family waits for news on tragedy
After a week of waiting for news, the East London family of an editor was praying hard yesterday after reports that he may have been among the 84 dead in the rubble of a collapsed church guesthouse in Lagos, Nigeria, on Friday.
Meanwhile, allegations of obstructing rescue attempts and refusing to answer queries for information from desperate South African delegations are mounting against Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) officials.
Yesterday, details of the dead and injured and the cause of the sudden collapse of the guesthouse remained shrouded in secrecy.
In Beacon Bay, East London, the family and friends of Let’s Praise Christian magazine editor, Ponko Masiba, held prayers for him at his home while waiting for confirmation of his death.
Attempts by the Daily Dispatch to speak to Masiba’s wife, Tobeka, were unsuccessful as she was “too distraught to comment”. Masiba and Tobeka were married only three weeks ago.
Masiba’s friend, Xolisa Mgwatyu, described him as a confidant and brother.
“I’ve known Ponko since 2000, and since then we have been friends,” said Mgwatyu.
Nalita Nayo, whose brother also has not yet been accounted for, said the church did not seem to understand the devastating effect the catastrophe was having on the families.
“We’ve heard that Gift of the Givers and other South African officials who were trying to help rescue our people were turned away.
“That has really hurt us as the family,” Nayo said.
“Our hope is that Scoan church officials and South African officials will bring us some news of our relatives.
“For them to prevent rescue attempts is upsetting and disappointing. My mother has not slept and she can’t eat since this happened.”
Eastern Cape premier, Phumulo Masualle, sent messages of condolence to victims’ families.
Speaking through his spokeswoman, Mandisa Titi, Masualle said: “This disaster has sent shockwaves throughout the Eastern Cape.
“Affected families and friends lived through a very traumatic week from the time we got to know about this catastrophe.
“The premier, on behalf of the people of the province, extends his sincere condolences to the families of the deceased.”
Dozens of families are still living with the anxiety of not knowing or hearing any news, all the while hoping that their relatives could still be pulled from the rubble alive.
Masualle urged families awaiting news of their loved ones to contact the Department of International Relations for information.
The Sunday Times reported an aftermath of the disaster characterised by “chaos, incompetence and lies”, with reporters detailing how Nigerian authorities and Scoan church officials frustrated efforts by South Africa to send a special search-and-rescue mission that could have helped reduce fatalities.
Scoan had not responded to questions at the time of going to print, but a message of condolences on the church’s website read: “Those who lost their lives in the incident died not in vain; they died martyrs of the kingdom of God.
“It is sorrowful indeed that we have our people from South Africa among the affected.
“South Africa has long been a true friend of Scoan – a partner in faith and in prayer.”
Yesterday, the department’s spokesman, Nelson Kgwete, referred questions to the Government Communications and Information System (GCIS).
GCIS spokeswoman, Phumla Williams, had not responded at the time of going to print. — siyam@dispatch.co.za
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