THE deployment of 11,894 military personnel to help the South African Police Service maintain security around late former president Nelson Mandela’s Qunu estate in the Eastern Cape has been authorised by President Jacob Zuma.
Mandela is to be buried there on Sunday, December 15, amid tight security arrangements as a number of foreign dignitaries are expected to attend.
On Friday, the Presidency issued a statement saying that Mr Zuma had informed Parliament of his decision on Wednesday, as required by law.
The military deployment is one of the largest since 1994 in support of a domestic event.
In total, about 15,000 South African National Defence (SANDF) Force members are to have participated in the period of mourning for Mandela since his death on Thursday, December 5.
This includes members from the SA Military Health Services, who were responsible for attending to his medical needs; the ceremonial guards that were present while his body lay in state, who were provided by the SA Navy; and the SA Air Force, which is to transport his body to Qunu on Saturday.
The SANDF will also be responsible for transporting his body from the Mthatha airport on a gun carriage to Qunu.
Air force helicopters and at least three Gripen jet fighters have been seen flying formations over Qunu in preparation for the funeral salute.
At a media briefing on Friday, government spokespersons indicated some of the strict security arrangements that will occur ahead of and during the funeral.
The N2 road between Mthatha and Qunu will be closed to ordinary traffic from 9pm on Friday and only accredited people will be allowed to pass.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation, which will be the official state broadcaster of the funeral, will be the only media organisation allowed into the estate.
All other media will have to stay at the Nelson Mandela Museum about 2km away, but platforms have been erected for cameras.
The erection of temporary accommodation around the burial site is continuing at a frantic pace, with a dome being erected and also a 500-seat grandstand.
A construction worker said they had made up time after the recent heavy rains that had caused their schedule to slip by about 12 hours.
"The guys are working really hard and if the weather holds up everything should be ready on time," he said.
WORK IN PROGRESS: The construction of a giant marquee in Qunu, Eastern Cape, for the funeral of Nelson Mandela nears completion. Picture: THE HERALD
THE deployment of 11,894 military personnel to help the South African Police Service maintain security around late former president Nelson Mandela’s Qunu estate in the Eastern Cape has been authorised by President Jacob Zuma.
Mandela is to be buried there on Sunday, December 15, amid tight security arrangements as a number of foreign dignitaries are expected to attend.
On Friday, the Presidency issued a statement saying that Mr Zuma had informed Parliament of his decision on Wednesday, as required by law.
The military deployment is one of the largest since 1994 in support of a domestic event.
In total, about 15,000 South African National Defence (SANDF) Force members are to have participated in the period of mourning for Mandela since his death on Thursday, December 5.
This includes members from the SA Military Health Services, who were responsible for attending to his medical needs; the ceremonial guards that were present while his body lay in state, who were provided by the SA Navy; and the SA Air Force, which is to transport his body to Qunu on Saturday.
The SANDF will also be responsible for transporting his body from the Mthatha airport on a gun carriage to Qunu.
Air force helicopters and at least three Gripen jet fighters have been seen flying formations over Qunu in preparation for the funeral salute.
At a media briefing on Friday, government spokespersons indicated some of the strict security arrangements that will occur ahead of and during the funeral.
The N2 road between Mthatha and Qunu will be closed to ordinary traffic from 9pm on Friday and only accredited people will be allowed to pass.
The South African Broadcasting Corporation, which will be the official state broadcaster of the funeral, will be the only media organisation allowed into the estate.
All other media will have to stay at the Nelson Mandela Museum about 2km away, but platforms have been erected for cameras.
The erection of temporary accommodation around the burial site is continuing at a frantic pace, with a dome being erected and also a 500-seat grandstand.
A construction worker said they had made up time after the recent heavy rains that had caused their schedule to slip by about 12 hours.
"The guys are working really hard and if the weather holds up everything should be ready on time," he said.
