Johannesburg - A family member of one of the South Africans killed in the Nigerian building collapse is looking for pro bono lawyers to file civil claims against the church.
Eighty South Africans, including Vathiswa Madikiza, were killed when the Lagos church guest house belonging to self-proclaimed prophet TB Joshua collapsed.
Thanduxolo Doro, Madikiza’s brother, said on Wednesday five families had contacted him so far after his call on September 22 for those affected to take action against Joshua.
“They are very, very keen, but these are very poor people, so I must work with them to mobilise resources,” he said.
Doro said they were looking for lawyers to help them with the “huge task” of filing civil claims, but only on a pro bono basis.
“We’ll pronounce on the progress of that once we get at least one lawyer,” he said.
Doro said he would not speak to anyone representing Joshua.
“I’ve been called by a number of his what I call ‘partners’ here in South Africa. They want meetings with me. I refuse to meet with them.”
Centurion attorney Harry Pretorius said civil claims lodged by South Africans in foreign countries “happen all the time”, and the families would have the best chance of success if they filed a class-action suit to reduce legal costs.
The Star