The Jordan family in Duncan Village face a bleak Christmas as the agonising wait for the remains of their son Sdima, who was killed in the Nigerian guesthouse collapse, continues.
Sdima is the son of former ANC MPL Joe Jordan, and was one of 85 South Africans who died while attending a church service at prophet TB Joshua’s church in Lagos in September.
Of the 85, 74 bodies were repatriated on November 16.
Twelve of those who died were from the Eastern Cape, but the remains of only nine were returned. The nine were passed over to families during a service in Queenstown last month.
Government spokeswoman Phumla Williams yesterday said the South African government was still waiting for Nigerian authorities to update progress on the repatriation of the remaining 11 bodies.
The Jordan family had hoped the return of their son’s remains would help them find closure.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, an emotional Jordan said his family was struggling to come to terms with what had happened to their son and not being able to say their goodbyes.
Jordan said his heart was shattered when informed on the day that other bodies had been returned but that Sdima’s body was not on the plane from Nigeria.
The family was informed that the Nigerian government was still struggling to positively identify the remaining bodies.
This despite DNA samples having been taken from various family members.
Jordan said his family had now lost hope they would be able to bury Sdima by Christmas.
The former politician said his family declined government counselling services and were relying on prayer to help them come to terms with their grief, which had affected his entire extended family, including Sdima’s eight-year-old son.
“The children are all back from school and everyone is sombre and worried. We just wake up every day and pray that this will be over soon,” said Jordan.
Alan Jewell from Alicedale, who is still waiting for the remains of his 58-year-old wife Janette, said the trauma was “unbearable and emotionally draining”. He had been married to Janette for 30 years.
“I was called by Pretoria recently and told they were working around the clock to have the remains returned home. They said they did not want to give any time-frames as that might create false hope.
“However, at home we are struggling with finances. Policies cannot even pay as we don’t even have a death certificate. That really places a strain,” Jewell said.
Attempts to reach the third family still waiting for the return of their loved one proved fruitless yesterday.
Heartbreak of Nigeria goes on
Sdima is the son of former ANC MPL Joe Jordan, and was one of 85 South Africans who died while attending a church service at prophet TB Joshua’s church in Lagos in September.
Of the 85, 74 bodies were repatriated on November 16.
Twelve of those who died were from the Eastern Cape, but the remains of only nine were returned. The nine were passed over to families during a service in Queenstown last month.
Government spokeswoman Phumla Williams yesterday said the South African government was still waiting for Nigerian authorities to update progress on the repatriation of the remaining 11 bodies.
The Jordan family had hoped the return of their son’s remains would help them find closure.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday, an emotional Jordan said his family was struggling to come to terms with what had happened to their son and not being able to say their goodbyes.
Jordan said his heart was shattered when informed on the day that other bodies had been returned but that Sdima’s body was not on the plane from Nigeria.
The family was informed that the Nigerian government was still struggling to positively identify the remaining bodies.
This despite DNA samples having been taken from various family members.
Jordan said his family had now lost hope they would be able to bury Sdima by Christmas.
The former politician said his family declined government counselling services and were relying on prayer to help them come to terms with their grief, which had affected his entire extended family, including Sdima’s eight-year-old son.
“The children are all back from school and everyone is sombre and worried. We just wake up every day and pray that this will be over soon,” said Jordan.
Alan Jewell from Alicedale, who is still waiting for the remains of his 58-year-old wife Janette, said the trauma was “unbearable and emotionally draining”. He had been married to Janette for 30 years.
“I was called by Pretoria recently and told they were working around the clock to have the remains returned home. They said they did not want to give any time-frames as that might create false hope.
“However, at home we are struggling with finances. Policies cannot even pay as we don’t even have a death certificate. That really places a strain,” Jewell said.
Attempts to reach the third family still waiting for the return of their loved one proved fruitless yesterday.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending Now
Latest Videos