BLOEMFONTEIN - The remains of the late former defence minister and COPE leader Mosiuoa Lekota will spend the night at his family home in Bloemfontein before he is laid at his final resting place.
Lekota will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2 on Saturday, 14 March.
Deputy President Paul Mashatile is expected to deliver the Eulogy on behalf of President Cyril Ramaphosa.
A church service was held at St Rose Catholic Church in Bochabela, Bloemfontein on Friday afternoon.
READ | Mosiuoa Lekota's remains at a church before going home one last time
As his coffin was wheeled into the church, mourners including family and friends sang comforting Catholic hymns before a short prayer was delivered.
Acting COPE president Teboho Loate said it was a befitting service for Lekota as he expressed gratitude in the manner in which the proceedings were conducted.
"I'm quite excited that we could give him this honor. It's in recognition of what he stood for. He was a man of discipline. So as things have gone so far, I'm happy with the arrangements, the timing.
"All of this makes us feel strong that at least we can say to him farewell in a manner that is befitting," he said.