Twelve of the 80 South Africans who died under tons of concrete rubble when a seven-floor Nigerian church guest house collapsed last month were from the Eastern Cape.Sport, recreation, arts and culture MEC Pemmy Majodina confirmed this last week at a special legislature sitting to honour the late ANC veteran Oliver Tambo.
Majodina said among those who died five were from the Port Elizabeth area, four from Buffalo City Metro and one from the Ngqeleni area.
Even though the provincial government yesterday refused to provide a list of those who had died, Majodina confirmed that a list had been given to provincial officials to assist them in counselling and comforting the families of those involved.
She said the affected families had been called individually by officials in the South African embassy in Nigeria, to assist in positively identifying their loved ones.
Majodina confirmed that East London’s Christian magazine editor Ponko Masiba had died.
His brother went to Nigeria to provide DNA to assist in positively identifying Masiba.
Majodina said she had visited Masiba’s family last week to offer condolences on behalf of the provincial government.
Among those still missing and unaccounted for was an Aliwal North pastor, Majodina said.
Some bodies still in Nigeria have begun decomposing and families are advised not to open the coffins to view the remains of their loved ones.
Majodina referred further queries to the office of premier Phumulo Masualle, who is in direct contact with the national government concerning the matter.
Spokeswoman Mandisa Titi yesterday refused to divulge any details, saying the process was still at a sensitive stage and that it was the national government’s prerogative when to communicate.
“We understand that as soon as the remains have been repatriated to South Africa, the president will invite all the premiers and then we will divulge their identities and outline plans on how to support the affected families,” Titi said.
Thomas Matsila, a 44-year-old father from Queenstown, was confirmed to have died two weeks ago. His wife survived as she was not in the building when it collapsed.
She flew back to East London on September 17.
Among the confirmed dead are East London’s Sidima Jordan, son of former Eastern Cape ANC MPL Joe Jordan, Mdantsane resident Phumzile Mpondo and Zwelitsha teacher Vatiswa Madikiza. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
12 from EC in Nigerian death toll
Majodina said among those who died five were from the Port Elizabeth area, four from Buffalo City Metro and one from the Ngqeleni area.
Even though the provincial government yesterday refused to provide a list of those who had died, Majodina confirmed that a list had been given to provincial officials to assist them in counselling and comforting the families of those involved.
She said the affected families had been called individually by officials in the South African embassy in Nigeria, to assist in positively identifying their loved ones.
Majodina confirmed that East London’s Christian magazine editor Ponko Masiba had died.
His brother went to Nigeria to provide DNA to assist in positively identifying Masiba.
Majodina said she had visited Masiba’s family last week to offer condolences on behalf of the provincial government.
Among those still missing and unaccounted for was an Aliwal North pastor, Majodina said.
Some bodies still in Nigeria have begun decomposing and families are advised not to open the coffins to view the remains of their loved ones.
Majodina referred further queries to the office of premier Phumulo Masualle, who is in direct contact with the national government concerning the matter.
Spokeswoman Mandisa Titi yesterday refused to divulge any details, saying the process was still at a sensitive stage and that it was the national government’s prerogative when to communicate.
“We understand that as soon as the remains have been repatriated to South Africa, the president will invite all the premiers and then we will divulge their identities and outline plans on how to support the affected families,” Titi said.
Thomas Matsila, a 44-year-old father from Queenstown, was confirmed to have died two weeks ago. His wife survived as she was not in the building when it collapsed.
She flew back to East London on September 17.
Among the confirmed dead are East London’s Sidima Jordan, son of former Eastern Cape ANC MPL Joe Jordan, Mdantsane resident Phumzile Mpondo and Zwelitsha teacher Vatiswa Madikiza. — asandan@dispatch.co.za
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