Pretoria - President Jacob Zuma is expected to speak at the former Health Minister Manto-Tshabalala-Msimang's funeral this morning at the Catholic Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Pretoria.
Zuma earlier said he was shocked and saddened at the news of her passing. "Our hearts go out to her husband, Mendi Msimang, as well as her children and grandchildren during this hour of difficulty and sadness. They have our love and support as Government," he said.
The cortege, in African National Congress colours, was expected to leave Tshabalala-Msimang's home at 9am and proceed to the Cathedral where the South African National Defence Force would take over and drape the coffin in the national flag. The cremation was set to take place in Benoni.
Several streets within the city centre were closed for the funeral procession and would be opened later in the day. As of 6am, Jacob Mare and Paul Kruger, as well as Skinner and Paul Kruger intersections were closed. Bosman and Visagie and Visagie and Andries intersections were closed just before the service began at 10am at the Cathedral on the corner of Bosman and Skinner streets.
