Another Barbertonian, who was a victim of the Nigerian church disaster, was laid to rest on Saturday. Thembi Florence Sefali (59) died at Netcare Garden City Hospital in Johannesburg on Wednesday December 3. Sefali was among those who had initially survived when a six-storey guest house at Prophet TB Joshua’s Synagogue Church of All Nations collapsed on September 12, killing 84 South African citizens.
She was among the 25 South Africans who were returned on a charter flight on September 22 and was admitted at Steve Biko Academic Hospital in Pretoria.
She was later transferred to Netcare Garden.
Last Thursday her colleagues at the Mpumalanga Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison, held a memorial service in honour of Sefali at Barberton Correctional Service’s hall.
Sefali had worked for the department as a traffic officer and at the time of her passing she was serving in the capacity of a chief provincial inspector in the Barberton offices. She had joined the department in 2000. She was finally laid to rest at the Barberton Cemetery after the service. Sefali leaves behind her daughter, three brothers and two sisters. She became the second Barbertonian who died due to the Nigeria building collapse, to be buried in the area.
Sipho Michael Mathonsi was buried at Emjindini Cemetery on November 15. Sibongile Florence Mnisi, former Umjindi municipal manager, was also buried on November 15, but in the Nkomazi area. Meanwhile, another Barbertonian’s body – Rabbi Zazi Lwandle – has not yet come back to the country. His body is among 11 South Africans who are still not home.
