Qunu - More than 20 buses and trucks lined up outside Nelson Mandela's Qunu house in the Eastern Cape on Thursday.
Soldiers were seen walking in the yard.
Media were not allowed to take pictures in the village, with a police officer saying: “We were briefed not to allow you access or to let you take pictures. You can go to the white tent (referring to a media centre up the hill).”
On Wednesday, Minister in the Presidency Collins Chabane said the media had violated protocols.
“It has... come to our attention that some members of the media have violated the protocols and arrangements that are in place in Qunu, and that this is causing frustration for the authorities and the Mandela family and community of Qunu.”
He appealed to the media to respect Mandela’s final resting place in Qunu, Eastern Cape.
“The final resting place of the former president is culturally significant to the amaThembu clan.”
Road works were continuing as the N2 route was being cleared of litter.
At the Nelson Mandela Museum in Qunu, children were being given sweets, fruits and toys.
Sapa