A Polokwane-based travel agency confirmed that one of its tour groups had been lodging at the Synagogue Church of All Nations (Scoan) in Nigeria when it collapsed.
“From our group, there were eight people, some from Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, and Mpumalanga,” said an employee of Voxismart Travel, who declined to be named.
“They left last week Thursday. There were no children.”
She was unsure if any from their group were among the 67 South Africans killed in the collapse.
“We don't have any information at the moment. We are waiting for Mr Lamula Mabunda (one of the tour leaders) to update us.”
Mabunda and his wife Mamsy Mabunda were the group's tour leaders.
A multi-storey guesthouse at the Scoan in Lagos collapsed on Friday killing numerous people, including 67 South Africans. They were believed to be part of five South African tour groups lodging at the church of faith healer “prophet” TB Joshua.
Agencies reported that over 100 survivors had been rescued.
According to its website, Voxismart Travel is primarily dedicated to arranging visits from South Africa to Scoan.
Lamula Mabunda could not be immediately reached for comment .
Meanwhile, Rescue SA has been put on standby to leave for Nigeria and help with the search and rescue operation.
“It's just a standby at this stage. Foreign affairs asked us to put a team on standby,” Rescue SA CEO Ian Scher told Sapa.
“There has been no further correspondence from them... but there is a meeting today Wednesday with different roleplayers and they may decide if we should go.”
Sapa