Parliament's delegation to Cuba grounded due to 'logistical challenges'

Cape Town – The multi-party parliamentary delegation that was due to travel to Cuba will no longer be going due to "unavoidable logistical challenges", the office of the ANC chief whip has said.

Parliament had resolved to send a delegation to Cuba for the memorial service of former Cuban president Fidel Castro, who died last week on Friday.

The decision was made on Thursday at a programming committee, but the trip has since been cancelled, Jackson Mthembu's office said.

"It became impossible to implement this decision due to the logistical difficulties associated with eleventh hour arrangements. Going ahead with the trip would have made it impossible for the parliamentary delegation to arrive on time for the memorial service," he said in a statement on Friday.

"Our thoughts remain with the people Cuba during this time of mourning, and we have no doubt that Parliament will at an appropriate time officially pay its tribute to El Comandante Castro in Cuba."

Members of Parliament paid tribute to Castro on Thursday, hailing him for his role in the struggle against apartheid.