IOL reports that the Inkatha Freedom Party-led Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality in Estcourt has ordered staff to wear black and women to wear doeks on Thursday after declaring a day of mourning for Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Buthelezi, who was the founding president of the IFP and the traditional prime minister of the Zulu nation, died on Saturday morning at the age of 95. Sthembiso Mthembu, the municipal manager of the Inkosi Langalibalele Municipality issued a circular to staff on Monday. The document reads: “Please be informed that due to the death of the late Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, the Municipality will observe Thursday, September 14, as a day of bereavement. In lieu of this, all employees (male and female) must use black clothing. Female employees must use a doek with their black clothing.” But notwithstanding the wording he used, Mthembu denied it was an order, or an instruction to staff. Meanwhile, some on X (Twitter) have responded with shock, angst and surprise at the order. Buthelezi will be buried on Saturday in a special official funeral declared by President Cyril Ramaphosa. The Mangosuthu University of Technology has also suspended its academic programme to allow staff to attend memorial services and the funeral.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sihle Mlambo at IOL
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