Tight security for funeral

2003-05-14 21:30

Johannesburg - Tight security would be in place in Soweto on Saturday for the funeral of the late African National Congress stalwart Walter Sisulu, Gauteng police said on Wednesday.

Director Henriette Bester said sufficient officers would be deployed to deal with any incidents and emergencies that might arise.

She would not reveal the size of the force that would be in place, but said metro police would assist. An aircraft would also monitor the events.

Sisulu died on May 5 at his home in Linden, Johannesburg aged 90.

ANC deputy secretary-general Sankie Mthembi-Mahanyele, Gauteng government spokesperson Thabo Masebe and Sisulu's eldest son Max briefed journalists on the final preparations for the funeral earlier on Wednesday.

50 000

Mthembi-Mahanyele said about 50 000 people were expected to attend the funeral service at the Orlando Stadium, which had a seated capacity of 30 000. Mourners would also be allowed to stand on the field.

She said Sisulu's body would lie in state at Uncle Tom's Hall in Orlando West, Soweto between 19:00 and 23:00 on Friday while a night vigil was held. The body would then be taken to the late ANC leader's family home in Orlando West.

Media

A special church service for the family would be held on Saturday morning before the body was moved to the Orlando Stadium.

Max Sisulu said the morning service would be strictly for the family, and he asked the media to give the family "space and time to grieve".

The body would be buried at the Creosus Cemetery in Industria near Westbury, a site chosen by the family, Masebe said.

The service at Orlando Stadium will be conducted by the former Truth and Reconciliation Commission chair Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Methodist Church Bishop Mvume Dandala will lead the service at the graveside.

- SAPA