Rightwing group 'handling the Mandela situation'

"With the announcement of Mandela's death many people were panicking," the organisation said in the message written in Afrikaans.

 

"We found that our members and leaders are calm about the announcement... but now the panic-stricken want to join [Suidlanders] in large numbers."

 

Suidlanders said its management had years ago identified the funeral of former president Nelson Mandela as a "risk time".

 

It said this was a time to be prepared, just like high risk times in the past.

 

"Because the Suidlander leadership and management at this time have certain measures in place, we have to deal differently with applications, questions, etc, as is the case usually."

 

Mandela died at his Houghton home in Johannesburg around 8.50pm on Thursday. He will be buried at Qunu in the Eastern Cape next Sunday.

 

Suidlanders outlined a number of guidelines for its members on its website.

 

It said no official "evacuation" would take place by the organisation because of Mandela's death.

 

If members "went on holiday" it was their choice and not on Suidlanders' instructions.

 

The organisation asked its members to contact it with any "relevant incidents" or warnings and also gave radio communication frequencies.

 

- Sapa