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For Thanks Mkhwanazi 
1 hour ago
Cape Town – The Zulu royal family has decided to discontinue plans for the late King Goodwill Zwelithini to remain in state to allow mourners to view his body before the funeral.
The traditional prime minister of the Zulu monarch and nation, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, said on Saturday that due to the coronavirus pandemic it would be inconceivable to allow large numbers of people to descend on KwaNongoma to view the body or attend the funeral.
He said that even the funeral itself would follow health protocols and that only a limited number of people will be allowed to attend and that the country can follow the procedures on television.
Buthelezi said they would not allow the king to remain in the state.
“Unfortunately, however, we are faced with the reality that South Africa and the world remain in the grip of a deadly pandemic. Current national regulations, which restrict the number of people who can gather, cannot be violated, even at a time of extreme distress, “said Buthelezi.
“It would be inconceivable to allow Her Majesty’s passing to become the cause of more deaths among Her Majesty’s people. Therefore, it has been necessary to make the difficult decision that the late King is not put in state, “he said.
“I therefore appeal, on behalf of the family, for the mourners not to travel to Nongoma to pay their respects. It is vital that we avoid the accumulation of crowds at this time, as this would endanger lives, “he said.
“Also, as it is well established that funerals are a melting pot for Covid-19 outbreaks, a decision has had to be made regarding the funeral itself. We appreciate the announcement from His Excellency President Ramaphosa that His Majesty will be awarded Special Official Funeral Category 1. It must be emphasized, however, that even state funerals have adhered to current protocols restricting the number of people. These protocols must be respected.
“The Royal House itself has numbers that exceed what is allowed in terms of regulations. Therefore, it is essential to convince people that the funeral will not be open for everyone to attend, ”Buthelezi said.
He urged the public to follow television procedures to avoid large crowds.
“These are extraordinary times that will not be forgotten in the collective memory of our nation. At this historic moment, we are bound by the need to protect the lives of the late King’s relatives and all his people, ”Buthelezi said.
He said funeral arrangements will be announced in due course.
[email protected]Political Bureau
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