Crowds gather to see Mandela lie in state

2013-12-13 93

Police attempt to control crowds lining up to say goodbye to Nelson Mandela.

His body was lying in state for a third and final day on Friday, adding a level of urgency for the tens of thousands of people hoping to pay their respects.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) WESLEY TIMM SAYING:

"We are waiting for the buses to come back from the Union Buildings. I heard once you get to the Union Building it goes quite quickly and I'm hoping they won't cut us off."

The government announced that they could not guarantee everyone in line would be given access to the Union Buildings. The lines went on for miles.

At a park-and-ride location in Pretoria, the crowd broke through the metal entrance gate when officers tried to stop people coming through.

Some fell to the ground and hundreds streamed past before the situation was controlled.

(SOUNDBITE) (English) UNIDENTIFIED POLICEMAN SPEAKING THROUGH LOUDSPEAKER TO CROWDS:

"Please support us. Be calm as well. We can