The unruly behaviour took place during the official memorial send-off of Dr Nelson Mandela yesterday, with the rain which did not deter people from attending.
World leaders and celebrities including US President Barack Obama, watched as crowds booed President Jacob Zuma and later left the stadium empty midway through the programme.
Both Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu and ANC deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa publicly rebuked the unruly crowd and ANC national executive member Bheki Cele walked through the stadium reprimanding perpetrators.
Programme director Ramaphosa repeatedly begged for discipline, eventually saying in Zulu from the podium that crowds should not embarrass the country in front of international visitors.
“Okunye sizokubona mahambile (we’ll deal with our problems after the visitors have left),” Ramaphosa was quoted as saying.
Tutu, who closed the ceremony, refused to bless the crowd until they behaved.
“You must show the world that we are disciplined. I want to hear a pin drop,” said Tutu to a nearly empty stadium.
South African songbird Yvonne Chaka Chaka led Sibongile Khumalo, Ringo Madlingozi, Abigail Kubeka, Zahara Mango Groove lead singer Candice Johnston, Danny K and Sipho Hotstix Mabuse in a rendition of Struggle song Nelson Mandela ‘Haona ya Tshwanang le Wena’.
Large contigent of Mexican media who had accompanied their President, were astound of what was going on.
“Why are they booeing the President. This is unacceptable,” said one female journalist as she clutched her hands against her face.
Meanwhile, the body of former president Nelson Mandela is lying in state at the Union Buildings, Pretoria in a glass top coffin from today until Thursday before it’s air-lifted to Qunu for burial.
The public has been urged to use public transport to reach Union Buildings from 12 noon.
No cameras and mobile phones will be allowed during the public viewing, according to the Government.
