South Africa’s ruling party, Africa National Congress, said it backed the decision of the Lagos State Government to prosecute the Synagogue Church and two engineers for the September 12, 2014 building collapse in the church.
The ANC made the statement on Friday during a courtesy visit to the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, in the Lagos House, Ikeja.
The leadership of the party, led by its Treasurer, Dr. Zwelini Mkhize, said that the state government’s stance on the coroner’s verdict was good for justice.
Mkhize also expressed the appreciation of the party to the state government for ensuring that the bodies of South African nationals who were involved in the incident were flown to the country for burial.
He said, “We are very pleased to learn of your decision on the coroner’s verdict in terms of the Synagogue disaster in Lagos last year.
“While we appreciate the assistance that you made to ensure that all of the victims were repatriated to South Africa, we also support whatever is being done on your side on the incident.”
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The ANC Treasurer said the visit was also to seek ways to strengthen bi-lateral trade between South Africa and Nigeria. He added that both countries would benefit from each other in terms of trade and investments.
Ambode, while responding, reiterated his administration’s commitment to boosting trade relations with South Africa.
He said, “We have established the Office of Overseas Affairs and Investment so that we can strengthen bilateral relations. We need more investors to come into Lagos so that we can create employment and grow our GDP. Whatever it is you think we can do to increase investors from South Africa, we are ready to talk. We hope you would also create the same platform for businessmen from Nigeria who do businesses in South Africa.”
The governor said he supported the existing relationship between the All Progressives Congress and the ANC, saying both had common ideologies.
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