Pastor T.B Joshua, the General Overseer of the Synagogue Church Of All Nations (SCOAN) has treated relatives of some of the 85 South Africans who lost their lives when the guesthouse attached to his church premises in Lagos collapsed to a shopping spree, topping it off it handsome cash gifts.
According to iol.news, Joshua was said to have treated 44 relatives of the deceased to a Christmas dinner wile another group is expected to be in Nigeria in January 2015.
47-year old Wonder Ndlovu, who lost her husband Mbogeni Ndlovu was among the first group to be pampered by the pastor after the building collapse. She told Daily News that she was taken shopping, lodged in the best hotels and given a cash gift of R3 200 (N50,000).
“After chilling, we came back in his luxurious kombis. (There were) more surprises while (we were) preparing to sleep. The mamas who took us shopping knocked and presented us with 50 000 naira each and they said we (must not) use all our (own) shopping money… I just sang A huna ya tshwana le yena (there’s no one like him),” she said.
She added: “We met with the man of God (Joshua) and he briefed us about the site visit. Wiseman Harry and other evangelists took us there, it was very emotional for me, but others were strong and comforting. I brought flowers from South Africa and laid them with my son. The prophet is full of surprises. After weeping, he took us to the city to see places. To our surprise we shopped till we dropped and the bill is on him.”
Pastor Joshua later laid hands on them and prayed, with Ndlovu describing it as “a touch from heaven.”
“We were having the time of our lives, forgetting the pain of the past and looking forward to picking up the pieces and moving on. Yesterday has gone by, but tomorrow is forever.”
Speaking of the site of the building collapse, Ndlovu said: “It is ugly. Looking at the building foundations, we are convinced it was an attack.”
Meanwhile, some other relatives of the crash victims who were invited by TB Joshua said they would gladly oblige. One of such, Simphiwe Ngcobo said the trip to Nigeria would enable him connect spiritually with his parents, Dickie and Dennis.
“It is important for us to go to the site and pay our respects to our loved ones. We have accepted their death and we are moving on. We could have gone with the first group of families but we decided to be with the family over Christmas. We have no qualms against anyone, which is why we have gladly accepted this wonderful gesture from the man of God,” he said.
Another invitee, Reverend Eric Myeni, who lost his 29-year-old son Sabelo said he hopes to meet Joshua for spiritual guidance.
“We need to overcome what has happened by showing our faith in Christ. We can never reverse our adversity. But with hope in the Lord we can overcome the pain suffered,” he said.
