PAC apologises to Sobukwe family

The 91-year-old widow of the late PAC leader Robert Sobukwe was laid to rest at Graaff-Reinet in the Eastern Cape on Saturday.

Proceedings were interrupted by some PAC members, who did not want to be addressed by African National Congress (ANC) officials. 

This resulted in Deputy President David Mabuza, who was scheduled to deliver the eulogy, abandoning the funeral due to safety concerns. 

PAC spokesperson Kenneth Mokgatlhe says the behaviour was unlawful and unruly.

"The unruly behaviour that we saw during the funeral, is the same behaviour we always experience as the leadership of the PAC that is why at times we have to implement the constitution of the party, we cannot have people who behave like the state or government doesn't exist."

At the same time the party has distanced itself from the disgruntled members who were wearing PAC regalia, claiming they may not have even been party members.

"Some people come at the eleventh hour, when everything was done when we were only left with going to the cemetery and do the last process of the funeral. They come and disrupt the whole thing whilst the family had granted the permission of government and PAC to give mama Sobukwe a state funeral. So who are we to deny the wishes of the family to be realised that is what has angered us as the PAC leadership to say that are those members who were wearing the regalia even PAC members." 

The disruptions also resulted in the government withdrawing the handing over of the flag and ceremonial guard of honour.

Spokesperson Phumla Williams says the government is saddened by the events. 

 "The decision was taken to ensure that certain disruptive elements who were hell bent on desecrating the dignity of Mam' Sobukwe did not succeed.As government we saddened by the behaviour of certain elements who disrespected the decorum of a funeral."