Pretoria – A large police contingent, which includes the South African Police Service and Metro Police, have been deployed to various strategic areas in and around the FNB stadium.
Today is the official National Memorial Service of the late former President Nelson Mandela who passed on last Thursday at his Johannesburg home.
According to the police spokesperson Lieutenant General Solomon Makgale, the police will be assisting the metro police in directing traffic, among other things.
“The police are there to protect members of the public,” he said on Tuesday.
They will also be assisting bodyguards of visiting dignitaries who will be attending the memorial service.
According to Makgale, the army is also assisting with security issues.
About 91 Heads of State are expected to attend the memorial service. Most of the dignitaries have already arrived for the Memorial Service.
Among them is US President Barack Obama accompanied by former US Presidents and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
Some of the roads near the stadium have been closed and people are encouraged to use public transport to the stadium.
Madiba will be buried in Qunu in the Eastern Cape on Sunday. – SAnews.gov.za
