WHEN he learnt of his wife's death in the Lagos church tragedy, Collen Mbatha became depressed, sickly and eventually died.

Yesterday mourners stood in the rain to bid farewell to Mbatha and his wife Winnie, who died in the September 12 tragedy.

The caskets carrying the couple were carried from the hearse at their Tladi, Soweto, home and placed by the gate where elders performed rituals. This was in line with the tradition which dictates that the body of someone who died violently should not be carried into the house to avoid a similar tragedy in future.

At a service held in a tent across the road, relatives expressed anger at what transpired.

"We want answers as the family. If TB Joshua is really that powerful, then surely he would have foreseen this disaster and saved us from burying two people at the same time," said Mbatha's sister Joyce Mokoena.

Mokoena said the family was heartbroken and disappointed in Joshua.

"Why has he failed to attend the inquest into his church? This makes us think he does not care. Some people lost parents, others breadwinners. The least he can do is give us answers. He was able to predict Michael Jackson's death and other people. Why couldn't he predict this incident?"

She said her brother was diagnosed with depression after his wife's death.

"He tried to be strong after Winnie's death, but I could see he was hurting. He stopped eating, would only drink coffee or tea and eventually stopped coming out of his room.

"He stopped laughing and didn't want to hear anything about the Nigeria tragedy. Then he became ill and eventually passed away.

"If she didn't go to Nigeria, she would still be alive and my brother would also be here," Mokoena said.

She said the couple was married for 27 years and had one child, David, who wept throughout the service.

Another relative, Mongo Marumo, said: "I've lost a mother, sister, aunt and my everything. Mam'Winnie nurtured me and taught me a lot about being a woman. She would remember everyone's birthday, including our children, and would call. I don't know who's going to do that now."

Social development MEC Faith Mazibuko said the government would do its best to bring the remaining 11 bodies from Nigeria.

ntsambab@sowetan.co.za

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