JOHANNESBURG - The late former Minister of Defence and leader of the Congress of the People (COPE) Mosiuoa Gerard Patrick Lekota will be honoured with a Special Official Funeral Category 2.
President Cyril Ramaphosa declared this on Friday.
The funeral is set to take place in Bloemfontein and will feature ceremonial elements provided by the South African Police Service.
Ramaphosa has also directed that the National Flag be flown at half-mast at all flag stations from Saturday morning until the evening of the funeral on 14 March 2026.
Lekota died on Wednesday at the age of 77.
READ | COPE co-founder Mosiuoa Lekota has died
Ramaphosa has paid tribute to Lekota as a patriot, freedom fighter, and servant of the people.
“We honour him especially for his principled dedication to non-racialism during our struggle and in a liberated South Africa.
“We deeply value his service to his home province where he served as Premier and to our Armed Forces and our national security, in his role as Minister of Defence," Ramaphosa said.