TB Joshua pays church collapse families

Nigerian pastor TB Joshua has sent teams of his “evangelists” across South Africa to drop off handouts of R5 000, maize meal and anointed water to family members of those killed when his church guesthouse collapsed in Lagos. Several families said this week they had been presented with gifts on behalf of Joshua. But not all were impressed. Thanduxolo Doro, who lost his sister Vathiswa Madikiza in the tragedy on September 12, said that since his recent call for a class-action lawsuit against the evangelist, representatives of the church had repeatedly tried to set up a meeting with him. “They met with my family at home, offering condolences, and gave them R5000. I told them: ‘Whatever you are offering, it can never compare with the life of my sister,’” said Doro. Madikiza had paid R18 000 to travel to Lagos to visit the church. So far five families have indicated they will join Doro in his bid to take legal action against the church and two legal firms have offered their services. Kirsten Nematandani, a former president of the South African Football Association and a “fellow” of TB Joshua’s church, confirmed that several teams had visited each affected family. “In fact this is the second round of visits,” he said. “We are assisting the families with whatever they need, school fees, rent, groceries and toiletries. “The families are so grateful for the help ... we take the message from the man of God that they must pray with him for the loss of their loved ones. We give them the anointed water to strengthen them.” Nematandani said the church would continue to support the families. The son of another woman who died in Lagos last month said his family received two bags of groceries as well as the cash. “It is the thought that counts. I know it’s not much but we took the money.” Mxolisi Catazo, whose wife Amanda Fina was among the 80 South Africans who died in the building collapse, said: ‘’The church people did come to see me on Monday and they said I must call them when I need help with the funeral. They didn’t give me any money.” A woman who has been travelling with other church representatives said: ‘’This is what the church is about. It’s about giving. We are offering families counselling, prayer and practical assistance.” The woman, who asked not to be named, said the church’s broadcast arm, Emmanuel TV - which is based in Rivonia in northern Johannesburg - was co-ordinating the relief teams. ‘’The media has been so negative about the church and all the church has been doing is helping people. That is our ministry,” she said. The woman said families were given food hampers and cash with the promise of more money in the future. South African officials said on Friday that the Nigerian authorities had completed post mortems on the 116 people killed. DNA material had been collected and would be taken to a forensic laboratory for comparison, a statement from the Government Communication and Information System said. The inquiry into the collapse will be held at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, presided over by chief magistrate Abimbola Komolafe. No date has been set, but a spokesman for the Lagos state department of justice, Bola Akingbade, said the probe would start after the Eid el-Kabir religious holiday today. Nigeria’s Vanguard newspaper reported that the police had set up a team to question Joshua on his claim that an aircraft caused the collapse. The team would also ask him about the condition of the building before four storeys were added. The Lagos state governor, Babatunde Fashola, said his administration was taking no immediate action. JOHANNESBURG TIMESLIVE