This after the event outside Mlangeni's home sparked criticism and debate, as crowds were seen surrounding the coffin, with no physical distancing adhered to.

In statement on Wednesday evening, national police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said events outside the Mlangeni home had come to the attention of the Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure. 

"The regulations in terms of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 makes provision for the dispersing of crowds who gather illegally and to hold accountable a person or persons who convenes or organises illegal gatherings.

"Therefore, with regards to this matter in question, a case of contravention of Section 48 (1)(a) of the Disaster Management Act 57 of 2002 will be opened for investigation," Naidoo said.

He said, upon completion of the investigation, a docket would be submitted to the Directorate for Public Prosecution for a decision. The ANC, which organised the event, has come out defending the activity, saying they had planned sufficiently for the arrival of the remains. 

Mlangeni, 95, was laid to rest on Wednesday during a special official funeral, where President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a eulogy. The party said residents of Dube in Soweto had "spontaneously" come out in numbers on Tuesday, when Mlangeni's body arrived at his home.

Speaking on eNCA on Wednesday afternoon, ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said a selection of the party's NEC members had gone to the home. He said people had already lined the streets when the body was being carried into the house. 

News24