Video

GRAAFF-REINET NEWS - The Graaff-Reinet police are investigating the illegal discharge of a firearm over the weekend during Veronica Zondeni Sobukwe’s funeral.

The Cluster Commander for SAPS Graaff-Reinet, Brigadier Rudolph Adolph confirmed the investigation and that no arrests had yet been made.

It could not be confirmed if live ammunition was used.

Video footage of Saturday’s live broadcast by the SA national broadcaster revealed two shooters in an illegal gun salute.

Two men dressed in Pan Africanist Communist (PAC) party uniforms were seen holding two firearms in the air and open fire. Another PAC member can also be seen walking in front of the camera, using his back to prevent the camera from identifying the shooters.

This action can be attributed to the PAC's sustained military prominence of the party. It is argued that the leadership of the PAC is responsive to military training and operations.

However, when President Cyril Ramaphosa announced the Special Official Funeral Category 2 for Mama Sobukwe, no mention was made of a 21 gun salute funeral.

Throughout proceedings, the PAC took over the special official funeral whereby the deputy president David Mabuza withdrew, thus declaring it an unofficial funeral.

Gun salute funerals are reserved for official and state funerals and performed in a controlled measure where blank rounds are discharged from firearms.

The PAC’s president, Narius Moloto denies the party’s involvement in the shooting and said he is embarrassed by the turn of events.

One of the illegal shooters at Mama Sobukwe's funeral. (Screenshot taken from the SABC's live broadcasting)

Moloto described the individuals as “disgruntled renegades” who did not act on behalf of the PAC.

He continued by saying that it is not PAC culture to be disrespectful.

“The PAC would not disrupt the funeral of a liberation icon. I was a victim of the same hooligans,” said Moloto.

Watch a portion of the video broadcast by the SABC News, below:

'We bring you the latest Graaff-Reinet, Karoo news'