Pretoria – Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane, has urged members of the media to observe protocol regarding the funeral arrangements of former President Nelson Mandela.
In a briefing on Wednesday – the first day of Mandela’s remains lying in state at the Union Buildings – the minister said media had been given access to all events, and provided with timeous information on arrangements for the days of the national mourning period.
“It has, however, come to our attention that some members of the media have violated the protocols and arrangements that are in place in Qunu, and that this is causing frustration for the authorities and the Mandela family and community of Qunu.
“Government appeals to members of the media to respect former President Nelson Mandela’s final resting place in Qunu, Eastern Cape.
“The final resting place of the former President is culturally significant to the AbaThembu clan. We ask the media to please be sensitive to this and respect this site,” said Chabane.
He further appealed to the media to cooperate with security officers, whose duty it is to secure the area around Qunu.
He said members of the media who have not been accredited at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg could do so at Zamakulungisa Technical College campus at Walter Sisulu University, as well as the Mandela Heritage Centre in Qunu. – SAnews.gov.za
