T.B. Joshua Under Tension, As President Zuma Vows To Take Action

Reports say about 300 South Africans in five
tour groups were at the church at the time
of the tragedy
President Jacob Zuma on Thursday
pledged that his government would do
everything it can to aid families of the 67
South Africans believed to have perished in
Synagogue's church collapse almost a week
ago, Vanguard » reports.
Reports say about 300 South Africans in five
tour groups were at the church at the time of
the tragedy.
Shortly after Zuma was accused of being lax in
his response to the tragic incident, the
president 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.
There are still doubts on the final death toll as
the numbers keep increasing every day and
the church has reportedly kept mum on the
names and identities of the crash victims.
South African Ambassador to Nigeria Lulu
Mnguni told The Nation » that "the death toll
keeps increasing". But he refused to give a
figure.
He said the figure of the dead announced by
President Zuma could not be contradicted by
anyone.
"I have been having meetings with the
church since the incident occurred. How
can anyone say the figure is not correct? It
was given to us by the church and they
cannot deny it," he told the newspaper via
the telephone.
Injured South African nationals fit enough to
travel are being flown back home.
"Yes, we are returning our people to South
Africa but not those who cannot travel. All
those certified fit to travel by doctors are
being sent home while those unfit will be
left behind because we cannot discharge
people. We do not want them to die on the
way," said Mnguni.
"20 South Africans were admitted in the
hospital with varying injuries. As I speak
with you now, the number keeps growing,
so, I cannot tell you any specific figure.
"I understand that the church has never
had this kind of situation but I think they
need to improve their handling," he said.
It was gathered from the newspaper that some
of the injured died before getting to the
hospital, a situation which has put a question
mark on the 131 survivors quoted by NEMA.
According to sources at some of the hospitals,
where victims were rushed to on Friday,
"some of them were already dead on
arrival".
"Yes, casualties were brought to this
hospital but one of them we discovered was
dead on arrival. Most of the other patients
brought here were workers in the building
and have since been discharged. I do not
have their details," said a nurse in one of the
hospitals.

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