The Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation welcomes the assurance that the identification process of South Africans who died in the Nigerian church accident is nearing completion.
Acting Chairperson of the Committee, Mr Bheki Radebe, said completion of the process was critical because many families want closure.
“South Africa accepts that there are governance processes that Nigeria has to be satisfied with, but relatives cannot live with a process that remains pending forever,” Mr Radebe said.
The Department of International Relations and Cooperation briefed the Committee on consular services availed to South Africans in need, away from home. The department indicated that in a week’s time the process could be concluded.
Mr Radebe said the Committee was particularly proud that the Nigerian government chose SA to head the identification process and DNA analysis, ahead of the United States (US) and the United Kingdom (UK).
“It is reassuring to hear that relations with Nigeria remained very good, and that the delays in the processes undertaken by the Nigerian authorities would have occurred even if the same incident occurred in SA,” Mr Radebe said.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact:
Sibongile Maputi
Tel: 021 403 8041
Cell: 081 052 6060
E-mail: smaputi@parliament.gov.za
