by Kolapo Olapoju

According to a South African minister, Jeff Radebe, the death toll from the collapsed hotel building in the premises of Synangogue church of all nations, now stands at 115 people.

Minister in the Presidency, Radebe disclosed this on Monday, 22 September, at an Air-force base, north of Johannesburg, where 25 South Africans who were injured returned for treatment.

He said 84 South Africans were part of visiting church groups who died in the 12 September building collapse, while also urging the Nigerian government to investigate the tragedy.

However, as at last count, the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, put the death toll at the building collapse at 90 people while 131 others were rescued from the rubble.

The Synagogue hotel building collapsed while the church was trying to raise the number of floors from 2 to 5. Subsequently, the Lagos State Government said the construction had not been approved.

Mr. Joshua has, however, attributed the collapse of the building to a plane which flew over the building minutes before collapsing.

Meanwhile, During Sunday’s worship service, which was transmitted live on Emmanuel TV, the church’s television station, Joshua said he would be visiting South Africa once a month.

“Those who are affected in one way or another and those who passed onto glory, their greatest desire is to see that the work of salvation they died and suffered for continues and reaches unreachable places. For that, what they are coming here for should be taken to meet them in their country.”

“Once in a month, I will be travelling to South Africa to meet people from South Africa and other nations who find South Africa easier to visit, in memory of martyrs of faith.”

Kolapo Olapoju