/ 7 December 2013

Madiba’s remains to be paraded in Pretoria

Madiba's Remains To Be Paraded In Pretoria

The remains of former president Nelson Mandela will be paraded through the streets of Pretoria on the days he lies in state at the Union Buildings, the government said on Saturday.

"Every morning, when the remains leave the mortuary to the lying in state, those routes will be made public," Government Communication and Information System chief director Neo Momodu told reporters in Johannesburg.

"We are going to be encouraging members of the public to be lining the streets … as [the body] … goes through the streets of Pretoria to the Union Buildings."

Mandela's remains will lie in state at the Union Buildings from Wednesday to Friday.

Momodu said access to the lying in state would be controlled.

Cameras not be allowed on bus
"My mom is not going to wake up in the morning [for example] and say, 'Let me go to the Union Buildings'. Everybody, even the ordinary member off the street, will need to be … accredited," she said.

"They will park somewhere. They will get on a bus that will be driven and controlled. It is not a free-for-all."

She said cameras would not be allowed on the bus.

Mandela died at his home in Houghton, Johannesburg, on Thursday. A memorial service will be held at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday, and he will be buried in Qunu, in the Eastern Cape, where he grew up, next Sunday. – Sapa