The Western Cape government is waiting for a response from President Jacob Zuma after a request by Premier Helen Zille for an official funeral for ex-Springbok and Western Province rugby stalwart Tinus Linee.
Zuma last week declared an official provincial funeral for Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa and Olympic athlete Mbulaeni Mulaudzi.
Now the provincial government has requested that the same honour be bestowed on Linee who died on Monday at 45 after being diagnosed with motor neuron disease last April.
Local Government MEC, Anton Bredell, who is acting premier while Zille is overseas, said in terms of the national ministerial handbook only the president could make a decision on who could qualify for an official funeral.
“Premier Zille wrote to President Zuma on Monday evening, requesting an official funeral for Tinus Linee. We are still awaiting a response from the president,” Bredell said.
Bredell and Cultural Affairs and Sport MEC Nomafrench Mbombo, visited the Linee family yesterday to express their condolences.
Offering the provincial government’s assistance, Bredell said the entire province was mourning with the Linee family.
“Tinus was one of the province’s heroes. He was an inspiration on the sports field and also for the courage he showed in fighting the disease that ultimately claimed his life. Who will forget that intoxicating smile of his even during his darkest days,” Bredell said during the visit.
Linee played in 112 matches for the Western Province between 1992 and 2001, and was part of victorious Currie Cup-winning teams in 1997, 2000 and 2001.
Linee never played in a Test for the Springboks, but had been on three tours and played in nine tour games, having made his debut in 1993 at the age of 21 against Victoria in Melbourne.
His funeral is set to take place on Saturday. - Cape Argus