TV3 camera operator detained in Mandela's hometown

Military officers salute as Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela watches over the casket as it arrives at the Mandela residence in Qunu, South Africa. Photo / AP

A TV3 camera operator was detained by South African police in Nelson Mandela's hometown of Qunu, according to presenter Hilary Barry.

Barry and her crew are in the town, along with around 100 other journalists from around the world, for the burial later today of the former South African president.

Barry tweeted this afternoon: "Our cameraman was detained by police in Nelson Mandela's hometown in South Africa''.

Footage on 3News showed Barry speaking to police to try to have camera operator Simon Ashworth freed.

"He had the official permit but they wanted more, his passport, and until we produced it, they weren't letting him go,'' she said.

Ashworth was locked in a police paddy wagon for a time, along with four men from Malawi who helped dig Mandela's grave. They were detained after they were found to be illegal immigrants.

Hawke's Bay Today editor Andrew Austin, who is covering the event for APN, said there were roadblocks all around Qunu and journalists found in the town were removed. Austin was turned around as he tried to get in.