Pretoria - Scores of enterprising vendors set up shop outside a Pretoria hall where the ANC was holding a memorial service for former police chief Jackie Selebi on Thursday evening.
"We know some cadres want to buy and we are here to supply. Some have been just asking the prices but many are buying," said one hawker, identified as Thato.
The hawkers were selling ANC-branded berets, caps and shirts.
By 18:00, hundreds were parked at the Tshwane Events Centre as the memorial service began.
Inside the hall, a large stage with powerful speakers had been erected. The stage was decorated in ANC placards and colours. Numerous news crews were present.
The ANC announced this week that it would pick up the tab for Selebi's funeral and memorial service.
Selebi, who was convicted of corruption in 2010, died on Friday aged 64. He had reportedly suffered from diabetes and kidney problems.
In Durban, about 1 000 people gathered at the city hall on Thursday evening to pay tribute to Selebi.