Tutu says it would be disrespectful to Madiba to gate crash a private family funeral.(SABC)
Government says Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu should have called if he wanted to attend Nelson Mandela's funeral in Qunu in the Eastern Cape.
Spokesperson Phumla Williams says government does not send out invitations but do have a list of accredited people.
She added that Tutu was on a list of eminent people to be accredited for the funeral.
Tutu earlier said he had cancelled his flight to East London on Friday to attend Mandela's funeral after he received no indication that his name was on the guest list or that he was accredited.
According to some reports, there is speculation that Tutu has been snubbed because of his outspoken criticism of the current government.
Tutu was also left off the official programme for the Mandela memorial held at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Tuesday.
However, at the last minute he was asked to give a blessing at the end of the memorial, after the crowd had become disruptive and booed President Jacob Zuma.
The news quickly spread on social media, with many urging Government to call Tutu and arrange for him to attend.
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