SYNAGOGUE SAGA

A team appointed to expedite the repatriation of the remains of 85 people from South Africa who died in the collapsed Synagogue building on 12th of September was expected to leave South Africa for Nigeria  yesterday said the South Africa government.

"A mass body repatriation team consisting of 80 specialist members from the department of health, the SA Police Service and the SA Military Health Service will today leave South Africa for Nigeria to begin the process of repatriating the mortal remains," spokesperson Phumla Williams said in statement.

"Upon touching down in Lagos, the team will be split into three groups and each will simultaneously work on the preparation of the mortal remains at the three mortuaries," she said
They included 81 South Africans and three Zimbabweans and one Democratic Republic of Congo national using South African travel paper.

"Due to the number of the deceased, and the time period since the incident, the repatriation will be carried out in line with strict procedures to ensure that the mortal remains are repatriated in a dignified manner while also taking appropriate precautions," said Williams.

Two aircraft had been secured for the repatriation operation."The first aircraft is a passenger plane that will transport the repatriation team, as well as other role players," said Williams.

"The second aircraft is an Antonov 124 cargo plane that will transport eight vehicles and specialised equipment."The two aircraft, transporting both the remains and the repatriation team, would then leave Nigeria on Saturday evening and would be expected to arrive at the Waterkloof Air Force Base in Pretoria on Sunday morning.

Once the aircraft arrive at the base, government would host a formal reception ceremony. The event would be private and would be restricted to accredited personnel.

"At the end of the formal reception ceremony, the mortal remains will be transported by road to the closest government... mortuaries in the different provinces," said Williams.

"From there the mortal remains will be transported to the government mortuary closest to the place of burial where they will be received by their next-of-kin."
May their souls rest in peace