Hon Speaker, the bodies of the South Africans who were killed in Nigeria during the church collapse that took place there have still not been repatriated. Six weeks have passed and yet family members are still made to wait to hear when they would be able to bury their loved ones. It is beyond unacceptable that the situation has still not been resolved.
When loved ones die, there are customary processes that need to take place in preparation for the burial. However, families find themselves in limbo as they are told that processes have to be followed, and they are made to wait to receive the bodies. Our government must not prioritise diplomacy over the tragic loss of their people.
The Nigerian government needs to accelerate their processes and bring the dead home. DNA testing for our departed is being done by a laboratory in Cape Town. So, why not bring our departed home as well? Bring our people home. No one, not even the Nigerian government, has the right to keep our departed for longer than necessary, and so far it has been over 48 days. Let the dead be brought home for them to come and rest in peace. Thank you. [Applause.]