A top official of the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) led by Morgan Tsvangirai has been confirmed as one of the more than 80 people who died when a hostel of the Synagogue Church of all nations in Nigeria collapsed in as yet unexplained circumstances Friday.
The family of Mashonaland West provincial chairman, Greenwich Ndanga, on Thursday confirmed that he died after the six-storey building crumbled to the ground. More than 130 people were rescued from the rubble.
South African president, Jacob Zuma on Wednesday said 67 of the dead were South Africans. Zuma has sent an emergency rescue team to Lagos.
Leader of the church, TB Joshua told his congregation that a mysterious plane was seen hovering above the building moments before the building collapsed.
However, Nigerian officials say the building collapsed because of structural defects owing to the construction of an additional four storeys.
Zimbabwe’s Foreign Affairs permanent secretary, Joey Bimha said it’s not yet clear if more Zimbabweans could have died or survived the crash as they are still waiting for a report from the country’s embassy in Lagos.
Health Minister David Parirenyatwa recently warned Zimbabweans to reduce travelling to Nigeria, which has reported two cases of Ebola. He said at least 20 Zimbabweans visit Nigeria every week.
The MDC-T provincial secretary for parliamentary affairs, Stewart Garadhi told VOA Studio 7 that they were waiting to hear about the repatriation of Ndanga’s body so funeral arrangements can be made.
