18 Enyobeni tragedy victims to be buried at mass funeral

Preparations are underway for a mass funeral service of the children who died at the tavern in East London a week ago.

The funeral will be held on Wednesday at Scenery Park Sports Field, where President Cyril Ramaphosa is expected to deliver the keynote address.

Eastern Cape provincial government spokesperson Khuselwa Rantjie says the first victim has already been buried, while others will be laid to rest after the mass funeral.

"The first victim was buried today in the Amathole district in the rural area where she was coming from, and we expect that there are some families that will be burying after the mass funeral service," says Rantjie.

The last victim will be buried on Saturday at their ancestral home.

"From the indication that we have, there are about 18 of them who will be buried in and around the Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality area including the rural area within the municipality," she says. 

READ: Sadtu: Someone must account for Enyobeni tragedy

"The rest of them will be buried in municipalities outside," says Rantjie.

Rantjie says all the funeral costs will be covered.

"In the townships, the family is expected to pay fees in terms of making arrangements; however, the municipality has waived those fees for the families. And the families have also been fortunate to get some help from Avbob to cover the funeral costs of the 21 young people," she says.

"We have organised everything for the families just to make sure that they are able to arrive at the sports field where the marquee has been set up to host the funeral service.

So as soon as 7am in the morning, they will be collected from their homes," says Rantjie.

Dignitaries from government including ministers, members of parliament and members of legislatures are expected to attend the funeral.