No photograph of President Mandela lying in state

12 Dec 2013

Government and the Mandela family have no plans to release so-called official photographs of President Mandela lying in state.

Government is respecting the family's wish that no photographs of President Mandela's body be released.

With regard to mourners filing past the casket, government repeats the caution that no photography is allowed, as this would violate the military protocol governing proceedings at the Union Buildings.

Government is aware of social media activity on the existence or otherwise of a picture of President Mandela lying in state.

Government welcomes the way in which people on social platforms are expressing their disappointment and outrage at any circulation of such photographs.

If this content exists, government calls on people not to view it and to delete it from their timelines.

The lying-in-state at the Union Buildings is an opportunity for hundreds of thousands of South Africans to pay their last respects privately and people should observe this with decency and dignity.

Government also asks people to show regard for the wishes and feelings of the Mandela family.

Update:

Photograph of Mabida a fake

12 Dec 2013

The Department of State Security has confirmed that the photograph of President Mandela, purported to be of him lying in his casket at the Union Buildings, is a fake.

Government finds it extremely distasteful that a member of the public would engage is such behaviour and manipulate a photograph of President Mandela at this time.

We thank all members of the public who have acted respectfully as they bid farewell to Tata Madiba as he lies in state at the Union Buildings for playing their part.

We appeal to members of the public to please behave with the same dignity and respect as President Mandela lies in the state for the third and final day on Friday 13 December 2013.

Statement issued by Phumla Williams, Government Communication and Information System (GCIS), December 12 2013

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