Town grieves for six church victims

Therural Mpumalanga township of Tonga lost six people in the Nigerian tragedy.

Nkomazi municipal spokesma n Cyril Rapinga said a further 16 from the area were injured.

"Seven people who were injured are now at home trying to overcome the terrible ordeal they experienced," said Rapinga during a visit to families of the people who died this week.

Tonga, which is close to Jeppes Reef, on the border of Swaziland, has a population of about 17000.

Zodwa Thandiwe Kubhayi, 44, was among those who died. She leaves behind her husband, Simon Nhlabathi, and three children. Nhlabathi said she had travelled to Nigeria with a group from her church.

"The last time I heard from her was on the night before the accident. She sent an SMS to say she was fine and how she was praying for all of us and what it was like there," said Nhlabathi.

He said they were awaiting the return of her body.

"I just want people to know that we are experiencing so much pain, there are no words, it hurts too much."

Ntombi Triphinah Nkuna, 61, who owned a catering business, went to Nigeria for healing.

Her brother, Mfana Nkuna, said it was her first time travelling to see TB Joshua.

"She was a strong believer in God, therefore she believed the prophet Joshua would heal her as she suffered from kidney failure," said Nkuna.

Nkuna said his sister believed their family was cursed by their ancestors and she went to Joshua's church to have the "curse" lifted.

Another Tonga victim was Nokuthula Beauty Cibi, 37, a nurse who worked part time at the Nelspruit Mediclinic.

She leaves a husband and a son, who is at university.

"It was her first trip to Nigeria. She was so excited as she was very religious," said her husband, Vilane Samuel Mciniseli.

This is not the first time the community of Tonga has been hit by tragedy. Two years ago, a truck was smashed by a train on a level crossing, killing 24 farm workers.