Durban – The mortal remains of Bafana Bafana captain Senzo Meyiwa left the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban on Saturday for Heroes Acre cemetery in Chesterville, where he will be buried.
Thousands of supporters left the stands to stand on a ramp and watch the convoy of white Audi Q7s leave the stadium.
Football supporters braced the drizzle to watch their hero being whisked away.
South Africans turned out in their thousands to pay homage to Meyiwa, who was also captain of Orlando Pirates, at his funeral in the stadium on Saturday.
Meyiwa was shot and killed on Sunday evening in Vosloorus, Ekurhuleni, while visiting his singer girlfriend Kelly Khumalo. Two men allegedly entered the house demanding cellphones and shot him before fleeing.
The convoy headed out towards the cemetery via the Western highway, which was cleared of traffic for the occasion.
People gathered along the route to bid a final farewell to Miyewa, with many making a cross with their arms -- a sign associated with Orlando Pirates. Other took photos with their cellphones, despite the pouring rain.
The convoy was led by eThekwini metro police and several motorbikes and included three buses, carrying the family, media and dignitaries.
In Chesterville the convoy was warmly received, with hundreds of people singing and making the Pirates sign as it passed by.
There was a festive atmosphere, with fans dressed in Orlando Pirates regalia, blowing vuvuzelas and waving South African flags. – Sapa