Johannesburg - South Africa has had to dig deep in its efforts to repatriate the remains of the victims who perished in a collapsed church building in Nigeria in September.
The government had to deploy a high-powered team comprising an interministerial delegation plus forensic and medical experts.
The cost in human lives in the incident has been high.
A Health Department employee, who was part of the repatriation mission, Pieter Fourie, paid the ultimate price on Friday after he contracted malaria and died.
Seventy-four of the 81 bodies were returned on Sunday.
The Nigerian government’s handling of the collapse of a guest house at Pastor TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos appears to have further strained relations between the two countries.
The Nigerian authorities refused to allow South Africa access to the site or hospitals where the injured South Africans were being treated.
On Sunday, Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe sought to allay concerns that relations between Pretoria and Abuja were strained.
“In the aftermath of the tragedy, the people of South Africa and Nigeria have been united. This tragedy has reinforced our warm and fraternal relations,” Ramaphosa said while delivering his keynote address at the official ceremony to receive the remains at Waterkloof Air Force Base.
Ramaphosa recently told Parliament that the South African government could not force Nigeria to expedite the repatriation process of the remains.
His statements came against the backdrop of another diplomatic row between Africa’s two largest economies.
Nigeria was angered last month after South Africa’s Asset Forfeiture Unit seized $5.7 million (R63m) in funds meant for purchasing arms to fight the extremist Boko Haram Islamist militants, and threatened it would kick out South African investors from the country.
A week later, former presidents Thabo Mbeki and Olusegun Obasanjo appealed to President Jacob Zuma and Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan to work harder to further détente between the two countries.
“I know President Jacob Zuma does care about this matter, and is keen to have it resolved. We should not have an air of animosity,” said Mbeki, who had far more cordial relations with Nigeria while still in power.
Under the leadership of Zuma and Jonathan, however, South Africa and Nigeria appear to have renewed the type of hostilities last seen when Nelson Mandela spearheaded the suspension of Nigeria from the Commonwealth.
This was after the execution of human rights atrocities against activist Ken Saro-Wiwa by former dictator Sani Abacha’s military regime.
On Sunday’s ceremony to receive the dead South Africans looked like an all-government affair, with several cabinet ministers and other high-ranking government officials in attendance.
Radebe joined Ramaphosa in the chorus to allay the fears of a diplomatic fallout between South Africa and Nigeria.
Radebe said during the emotional event that he and his delegation had received good co-operation from Jonathan and other state officials. He added that Zuma and Jonathan had spoken for several hours to fast-track the repatriation process.
Ramaphosa said South Africa would continue with efforts to repatriate the remaining 11 bodies.
“We will intensify our efforts to ensure that the bodies still in Nigeria are returned without delay, also telling the grieving families and relatives that all South Africans shared their pain.
“To the bereaved, we say as a nation we share in your grief and sorrow. We understand that the loss you suffer remains unbearable. I hope you will draw solace and comfort from the fact that all South Africans are behind you.”
“Today marks the start of the healing of your souls. We hope their souls (deceased) will rest in peace in the land of their birth.”
The Star