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- President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced the highest honours for IFP founder, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
- Flags are to be flown at half-mast at flag stations until the evening of the funeral.
- ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile, provincial leaders and EFF deputy president Floyd Shivambu will visit Buthelezi's home this week.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has announced a special official funeral category 1 for IFP founder Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
In addition, Buthelezi's family moved the funeral from Friday to Saturday.
"The state, official and provincial official funeral policy of government accords special official funerals, category 1, to persons of extraordinary credentials, specifically designated by the president of the Republic of South Africa," Ramaphosa's spokesperson, Vincent Magwenya, said.
In terms of the policy, category 1 allows for "full military ceremonial honours".
Magwenya added:
Magwenya said Ramaphosa also directed that flags be flown at half-mast at flag stations across the country from Tuesday until the evening of the funeral.
Since it is a category 1 funeral, the government will handle the dignitaries, according to the Buthelezi family.
The prince of KwaPhindangene, who died on Saturday, served as the home affairs minister after the advent of democracy, traditional prime minister to the Zulu nation and founder of the IFP.
On Tuesday morning, Prince Ntuthuko Buthelezi, the late IFP founder's son, held a press briefing to confirm that the funeral would be held on Saturday at the Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi regional stadium.
"It was all systems go as far as Friday was concerned, but flowing from the announcement of the category 1 [funeral], it became logical there had to be some logistical adjustments," Ntuthuko said, adding that there was no other reason for the funeral date's change.
He said a family meeting would be held to discuss a "lot of housekeeping" and aligning the family's plans with the government's plans.
Ntuthuko added that the family decided against having the coffin open for viewing.
IFP spokesperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said a memorial service would take place on Wednesday.
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Meanwhile, ANC deputy president Paul Mashatile and the provincial cabinet will visit the KwaPhindangene royal homestead to pay homage on Tuesday.
News24 understands that the EFF delegated its deputy president, Floyd Shivambu, to head to KwaPhindangene.
KwaZulu-Natal Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube said: "The declaration of a special official funeral category 1 by President Ramaphosa is an appropriate honour to the life and times of Umntwana waKwaPhindangene. We call on all peace-loving people who appreciated Prince Buthelezi to uphold his legacy by conducting themselves in a manner befitting to his stature."
