SCOAN: TB Joshua flies families of South African victims to Lagos

TB Joshua

TB Joshua has invited to Lagos the bereaved families of the South African victims of the fatal church building collapse (of which 81 South African citizens were stung by death) for a trip of “spiritual and emotional support.”

 

Remains of 74 of the South African victims were repatriated home two months later and 11 more remained behind awaiting DNA identification.

“The healing process is continuous but it was very important that the families be part of the year-end candlelight service — it’s spiritual and emotional support,” the church’s spokesman in South Africa, Kirsten Nematandani told AFP.

He said TB Joshua, who “has continuously supported the families,” will interact with them throughout the trip. “This is about the spirit of caring.”

Forty-four of the 74 families have taken up the offer for the all-expenses-paid, week-long trip starting on Christmas Day.

The rest are unable to travel because of lack of travel documents or prior commitments, said Nematandani.

Families of the 11 outstanding victims will be invited after the remains are sent back to South Africa, he said.

Some South Africans took to social media, suggesting that the trip was a bribe for the families not to launch any legal action against Joshua.

“This is a preemptive strike against any possible lawsuit,” tweeted @Nothibi-Phosa. But Nematandani dismissed such claims saying the relatives were going to the church to “pray” and not to talk about litigation.