Businessman Dr Richard Maponya, who passed away last week at the age of 99, was best known for building a business empire despite the restrictions placed on him by apartheid.
He was determined to grow Soweto economically and contributed to the wellbeing of his community.
President Ramaphosa gave a moving eulogy at his memorial service, but that’s not what people are talking about.
Ramaphosa honoured Maponya with a Special Official Funeral Category two. Special Official Funeral Category two has elements of police ceremonial honours, and Twitter can’t get over the South African Police Service and their attempt to perform a routine salute at the service.
Get ready for peak awkward:
Not their best work.
IOL notes that there was no hiding the faux pas which was recorded in a live broadcast of the service at Westpark Cemetery.
The clip of the confused police officers has since gone viral receiving mixed responses on social media.
Some people are really angry:
#SAPS must suspend these Brigadiers for bringing the organisation & the country into disrepute. They must have their 3months salaries docked. #RIPRichardMaponya https://t.co/Kr9y3I5OtZ
— Bra Hloni (@HonourableHloni) January 14, 2020
A serious national embarrassment for Ntate Maponya funeral; one of the few human beings who deserved to be buried with dignity, class and professionalism
Why does SAPS use such unfit and untrained men and women for such physically demanding tasks?
— Palesa Flower (@PSeretlo) January 14, 2020
How does SAPS choose its top brass, honestly I have 2 friends in the police and 1 in training…all of them say the saps training is almost militant…but then you end up with kak like this
https://t.co/TIdD3ILLx4
— Star Kid (@LostMartian1) January 14, 2020
Other can see the humour in it:
Our police doing wonders; confusing the enemy
pic.twitter.com/VtyHVQ9rCQ
— Olwethu Sipuka (@osipuka) January 14, 2020
In fact, the SAPS is well versed in the art of bungling a march:
That’s if you thought what happened at Dr Maponya’s funeral was nothing. There is the proof that they no nothing about marching
I give up
— Patrick Risimati (@PatrickRisimat2) January 15, 2020
National police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo told News24 that “it was just simply an error which is highly regrettable”.
I’m sure they regret it. It’s not a good look.
I’m not angry, I’m just disappointed.
Be better, SAPS. Be better.
