NO STATE BURIAL FOR VUYO MBULI Only Zuma has power to declare such funeral
PLANS to give the late SABC presenter Vuyo Mbuli a fully-fledged state funeral have collapsed.
The Gauteng provincial government told Mbuli’s family on Tuesday about the plans to give him a funeral deserving of a very important personality.
But sources close to the family told Sowetan that on Wednesday, after the memorial service at the SABC headquarters, community safety MEC Faith Mazibuko informed them that the decision had been delayed.
Mazibuko and Premier Nomvula Mokonyane had visited the family on Tuesday and promised an official funeral. But yesterday, the provincial government released a statement saying it would honour the life and times of Mbuli by supporting the family with some of the funeral logistics.
Mokonyane is expected to attend the funeral today.
Mbuli will still be buried at Heroes Acre, West Park Cemetery, in Johannesburg.
State funerals are only approved by President Jacob Zuma. Provincial governments have to seek permission from Zuma, who can either agree or decline.
Zuma’s spokesman Mac Maharaj yesterday refused to comment on whether or not Zuma had received the request from Mokonyane’s office for Mbuli’s funeral.
Maharaj referred all the questions to her office.
Mokonyane ’ s spokesman Matlakala Motloung said the premier’s announcement meant she would use her discretional powers, which included deciding on the cemetery, traffic control and logistical support.
Gauteng traffic police spokesman Obed Sibasa said people should expect a long convoy for Mbuli’s funeral.
The service starts at 9am at the St John’s College in Houghton. Sibasa said from Houghton the cortege will proceed along Louis Botha Avenue with a complete closure on Louis Botha and Elm Street. Other closure will be on Fifth Street, Claim Street and Boundary Road.
From Queen Street the convoy will split into Empire Road, going through Jan Smuts avenue and splitting on the M1 highway. It will then proceed through Barry Hertzog road until Judith Street. From Thomas Bowler Street, the convoy will enter the West Park Cemetery.