African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula says the party will hand over an ANC flag to the family of late Deputy President David Mabuza ahead of his remains being transported to Mbombela for the state funeral service on Saturday.
Mabuza will then be laid to rest at Barberton.
64-year-old Mabuza passed away last week in a Johannesburg hospital after a short illness.
Mbalula addressed the media outside Mabuza’s home in Barberton.
“The proceedings will start in the morning here with the private ceremony. Which will among others include the handover of the African National Congress flag to the family. Government and the state will then takeover. As you know that the funeral is declared by the President as category 2, with military honours. It will proceed from here to where the funeral, will actually take place. But we will be here tomorrow morning at 7am to execute that important ritual.”
David Mabuza | ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula briefs the media outside Mabuza’s home
Mpumalanga Premier Mandla Ndlovu and ANC Provincial Secretary Muzi Chirwa were part of a delegation which has fetched the body of Mabuza from the mortuary in Mbombela for transportation to his family home in Barberton.
ANC members, friends and neighbours lined the route in tribute to Mabuza who led the province for nearly a decade from 2009 to February 2018.
Approximately 3 000 mourners are expected to attend the funeral.
David Mabuza | Mabuza’s mortal remains arrive at his home in Barberton
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