Johannesburg – Government will pull out all the stops to ensure the security of both the memorial service and the laying to rest of late former President Nelson Mandela, Minister in the Presidency for Performance Monitoring and Evaluation, Collins Chabane said on Saturday.
“It is important for us to ensure that we manage the numbers and movement of people. Otherwise we will end up with a serious problem. We are calling on all South Africans to cooperate with us,” Chabane said at a special briefing at the SABC in Auckland Park.
Thousands of people are expected to gather at the FNB Stadium for the main state-led memorial service on Tuesday. The service is expected to attract hundreds of dignitaries, including diplomats.
He told reporters that government had requested provincial authorities to provide transport for mourners who wish to attend the memorial service at the stadium in the south of Johannesburg.
“This event will be attended by a number of visiting heads of state and government is in the process of briefing the diplomatic corps this afternoon to facilitate the attendance of the visiting leaders,” Chabane said.
While government could not tell people not to attend the memorial service, he urged members of the public to also use the public viewing areas that will be announced closer to the time.
Road closures
Various roads around Nasrec will be closed to normal traffic during the memorial service.
The N1 route and the Rand Show Road, the N1 and the Soweto Highway, the N1 and the N17, N1 and Nasrec offramp, the Greenwood Road and Booysens Reserve, the Nasrec Road and the Main Reef Road will be closed.
“We request mourners to give authorities their fullest cooperation as we endeavour to ensure that the memorial service and other events are dignified and befitting,” he said.
Lying in State
Chabane reiterated that members of the public and the heads of state wishing to view the mortal remains of former President Nelson Mandela can do so from 11 December to 13 December.
He urged the public to refrain from taking pictures of the remains to respect Mandela and his family.
Chabane also asked people to line up along the routes between 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria and the Union Buildings to observe a procession that will ferry Mandela’s remains daily during the three days.
“Details of these routes and times will be communicated in due course.”
The funeral of the late former statesman will take place in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, on 15 December.
Mandela died peacefully at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg on Thursday night after a long illness.
Following the news of Mandela’s passing away, President Jacob Zuma declared a week of national mourning across the country and has urged people to participate in a national day of prayer and reflection on Sunday.
President Barack Obama was among the first world leaders to confirm that he would fly to South Africa to honour Mandela, along with his predecessor, George W Bush.
Mandela’s long-time friend and former US leader Bill Clinton will also attend the funeral in Qunu.
Chabane said the Department of International Relations and Cooperation was expected to provide a comprehensive list of heads of state who will be attending later on Saturday. - SAnews.gov.za
