Former Labour Minister Mdladlana to be laid to rest in special official funeral, category 2

JOHANNESBURG - The late former Minister of Labour Membathisi Mdladlana will be laid to rest in a special official funeral, category 2, this weekend.

Mdladlana passed away last week at his Cape Town home, aged 72.

He served as an African National Congress (ANC) member of Parliament (MP) in 1994 and later served as minister under four presidents, including Nelson Mandela, until 2009.

Acting President Paul Mashatile made the declaration on Tuesday.

"Acting President Mr Paul Mashatile has declared a special official funeral, category 2, to honour former Minister of Labour and High Commissioner to Canada Mr Membathisi Shepherd Mdladlana," said acting spokesperson Keith Khoza.

The national flag will be flown at half-mast around the country from Tuesday morning until the evening of the funeral on Saturday.