The conduct of certain people attending the funeral of former South African ambassador to Indonesia Norman Mashabane was ”despicable”, said the African National Congress (ANC) on Monday.
The funeral took place in Phalaborwa on Saturday.
”We deplore the behaviour of these unruly elements. There is no room for such people in the ANC,” the party said.
This kind of conduct demonstrated a profound lack of respect for the deceased, his family and all the mourners, the ANC said.
”We call on all ANC members to distance themselves from these callous actions.”
The ANC also said it would not hesitate to take action against any of its members who were identified as participants in such behaviour.
On Saturday, ANC deputy president Jacob Zuma intervened after Limpopo Premier Sello Moloto was booed as he was about to address mourners at the funeral service.
Youths apparently started singing and chanting when Moloto rose to deliver his speech.
South African Broadcasting Corporation news said on Saturday that former premier Ngoako Ramathodi and provincial ANC secretary Cassel Matlhae tried in vain to calm the youths down.
Zuma apparently then rose to persuade the youths to keep quiet before Moloto could speak.
He told them that a funeral was not an appropriate environment for political campaigns.
Mashabane died earlier this month in a car accident outside Polokwane. — Sapa