Qunu – Parts of the N2 that go past former President Nelson Mandela’s home in Qunu will be closed on Friday night.
Briefing journalists at the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Friday, police spokesperson Mzukisi Fatyele also announced that security officials would do a dry run of the procession that will accompany the former statesman’s hearse when it arrives on Saturday.
As South Africans and world leaders prepare to descend on Qunu for Mandela’s funeral on Sunday, Fatyele said residents and other road users, who are not accredited to attend the funeral, would be given alternative routes and detours on or before the points that will be affected by closures.
“…From that side of the airport, the R61 will also be closed between Ngcobo and Mthatha. Nelson Mandela Drive and Sutherland Street in Mthatha will also be closed.”
When the aircraft carrying Nelson Mandela’s coffin arrives at Mthatha Airport on Saturday, it will go via the R61 road to Mthatha before joining the Nelson Mandela Drive in town. The procession will then join the N2 national road to Qunu.
Fatyele said the dry run of Mandela’s procession was scheduled to take place at 1:30pm today.
With the aircraft set to land at Mthatha Airport tomorrow, dignitaries and other guests will land at the East London Airport.
Mandela will be laid to rest in Qunu on Sunday. – SAnews.gov.za
