Photograph of Madiba a fake

12 December 2013

The Department of State Security has confirmed that the photograph of President Mandela, purported to be of him lying in his casket at the Union Buildings, is a fake.

Government finds it extremely distasteful that a member of the public would engage is such behaviour and manipulate a photograph of President Mandela at this time.

We thank all members of the public who have acted respectfully as they bid farewell to Tata Madiba as he lies in state at the Union Buildings for playing their part.

Media releases

Park and ride facilities in Pretoria reach full capacity

12 December 2013

Park and ride centres for public viewing of President Mandela’s body have been closed for the day – Thursday 12 December 2013 - after reaching their full capacity. Yesterday, December 11, between 12 000 and 14 000 people were able to pay their final respects. Today’s numbers are still being determined.

People in the queues at the park and ride facilities will be transported to the Union Buildings until 17h00 today, following which the remains of President Mandela will return to 1 Military Hospital, Thaba Tshwane.

Media releases

No photograph of President Mandela lying in state

12 December 2013
 

Government and the Mandela family have no plans to release so-called official photographs of President Mandela lying in state.
Government is respecting the family’s wish that no photographs of President Mandela’s body be released.
With regard to mourners filing past the casket, government repeats the caution that no photography is allowed, as this would violate the military protocol governing proceedings at the Union Buildings.

Media releases

Public urged to use park-and-ride facilities

 12 December 2013

The public is urged to use the park-and-ride facilities at the Tshwane Events Centre (Pretoria Show Grounds),  LC De Villiers Sports Facility (SOUTH STREET ENTRANCE) in Hatfield and Fountains Valley Park to the Union Buildings to pay their last respects to former President Nelson Mandela.

No walk-ins will be permitted to enter the Union Buildings. To assist in the continuous smooth running of the lying-in-state, the public is urged to cooperate with systems that are in place.

Media releases

Public and traffic arrangements for the State Funeral of President Nelson Mandela at Qunu, Eastern Cape

11 December 2013
 
As the focus of preparations for the State Funeral of President Nelson Mandela shifts to the Eastern Cape, government calls on communities in Mthatha and Qunu to support the preparations and show patience where this is required.

Government also calls on media in the area to cooperate with the organising authorities, and asks that the broader public comply with requests or instructions by authorities.

Media releases

Nelson Mandela State Funeral update

Fellow South Africans
 
Ladies and gentlemen of the media
 
Welcome to this briefing on 11 December 2013 – a day after the National Memorial Service for the late President Nelson Mandela at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg – and the first day on which President Mandela is lying in state.

We are honoured to have the Mandela Family with us at this briefing where the family will express a vote of thanks to South Africa and the world for the success of yesterday’s National Memorial Service at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg.

Welcome, General Matanzima.

Media releases

Cut-off reached for today's public viewing of President Mandela's body

Government wants to advise members of the public that the cut-off has been reached for people wishing to view President Mandela’s body at the Union Buildings this afternoon.
 
Large numbers of people are still in queues at the various points around the City of Tshwane from which mourners are being transported to the Union Buildings.
 
Government welcomes the interest people have showed in wanting to bid Madiba farewell, but we have reached the limit for the day.
 

Media releases
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