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Former Botswana's VP to be buried on Saturday

Xinhua, January 12, 2015 Adjust font size:

Former Botswana's Vice President Mompati Merafhe will be buried on Saturday, government officials announced on Monday.

Merafhe, who passed away aged 78 last Wednesday, will be buried at this home village of Serowe in central Botswana on Saturday, January 17.

Thousands of mourners are expected to be at the national stadium in Gaborone on Tuesday afternoon where a mass memorial service will be conducted in the remembrance of the former vice president. Public service employees will be released to attend the memorial service.

Merafhe became vice president in 2008 following a long service in government where he held several ministerial portfolios. He resigned from the post in 2012 due to ill health.

Meanwhile tributes have continued pouring in since the announcement of his death.

Zimbabwe's Vice President and former Ambassador to Botswana, Phelekezela Mphoko on Friday signed a book of condolences at the Botswana embassy in Harare in honor of Merafhe. In his condolence message, Mphoko said Zimbabwe was saddened by Merafhe's death and joined the Batswana in mourning the late statesman.

Botswana President Ian Khama on Saturday also visited the family of Merafhe to deliver a personal message of condolence. Endi