Cape Town - Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has declared a special official funeral for Judge Thembile Skweyiya.
The former Constitutional Court judge died on Tuesday after a short illness.
The deputy president, in his capacity as acting president while President Jacob Zuma is on a visit to China, made the announcement in a statement released to the media earlier on Thursday.
It said: “This category of funeral is designated by the President of the Republic of South Africa for distinguished persons. “
Ramaphosa will deliver the eulogy.
Judge Skweyiya was a leader in the development of the country's jurisprudence and a renowned human rights lawyer and activist during the height of apartheid repression in the 1980s.
The acting President has ordered that all national flags at all flag stations in the country be flown at half-mast from Thursday until the day of the funeral.
Presidency spokesperson Bongani Majola said details of the funeral would be made available in due course.
ANA