Pretoria – Government has advised members of the public that all three park-and-ride facilities in Tshwane, used to bus mourners to the Union Buildings, are at full capacity.
As of 7.30am this morning there were 10 000 people at Fountains Valley, 25 000 at Tshwane Events Centre, 7 000 at LC de Villiers and 8 000 gathered at the Union Buildings.
Government said people should not make their way to the park-and-ride facilities as any additional numbers would make it physically impossible for people to be safely transported to the Union Buildings and get the opportunity to file past the body.
Government said it could not guarantee that every person who was presently in the queues at the various centres would be given access to the Union Buildings.
“The response has been overwhelming and heart-warming with 12000-14000 paying homage to Tata Madiba on day 1 with two people passing every 3 seconds on day 2,” said government in a statement on Friday.
Today is the last day that the public will be able to view Madiba’s body as it lies in state at the Nelson Mandela Amphitheatre at the Union Buildings. The body will at 5.30pm make its way back to 1 Military Hospital for the last time.
Tomorrow, Madiba’s mortal remains will be flown to the Eastern Cape ahead of the official funeral on Sunday.
Government on Friday said it was grateful to all those who had come out, travelling from far and wide to pay their last respects to Madiba.
However, it appealed for the public who have not been able to get to the Union Buildings to say goodbye in their own personal way. All events will be broadcast live on all SABC platforms, eNCA and community radio stations.
Events have been arranged in various areas of the country to say goodbye to Tata Madiba.
A list of memorial services taking place today are available on www.mandela.gov.za. – SAnews.gov.za
