Malawian grave diggers detained in Mandela’s hometown
South African police in Nelson Mandela’s hometown of Qunu on Sunday detained four Malawians who helped dig Mandela’s grave after they were found to be illegal immigrants.
The Newstalkzb webiste for a New Zealand-based radio station has reported that the Malawians were detained alongside a TV3 camera operator Simon Ashworth who despite having official permit to cover the funeral ceremony failed to produce supporting documents including his passport.
“Mr Ashworth was locked in a police paddy wagon for a time, along with four men from Malawi who helped dig Mandela’s grave,” says the website.
Mandela died on 5 December aged 95.
The burial brought to an end more than a week of mourning across South Africa.
