JOHANNESBURG: Preparations for Nelson Mandela’s funeral have been marred by a public spat between the South African government and retired Archbishop Desmond Tutu, one of the most prominent survivors in the long anti-apartheid struggle. Tutu, a Nobel laureate who has strongly criticised the current government, said in a statement on Saturday that he will not be attending Mandela’s funeral, even though he wishes to pay respects to his longtime friend.

He says he was not invited — an apparent snub that the government vehemently denies.

“Much as I would have loved to attend the service to say a final farewell to someone I loved and treasured, it would have been disrespectful to Tata (Mandela) to gatecrash what was billed as a private family funeral,” Tutu said in the statement.

“Had I or my office been informed that I would be welcome there is no way on earth that I would have missed it.’’

Tutu, 82, said he had cancelled his plans to fly to the Eastern Cape to attend the Sunday funeral after receiving no indication that his name was on the guest list or accreditation list.

However, Mac Maharaj, a spokesman for the South African presidency, said Tutu is on the guest list and that he hopes a solution will be found that allows Tutu to attend.

“Certainly he is invited,” Maharaj said. “He’s an important person.’’

He said he did not know whether Tutu had been invited to eulogise Mandela but was certain an invitation to attend had been issued. Tutu has preached at the funerals of most major anti-apartheid figures, including Steve Biko, Chris Hani, Walter Sisulu and others.

Tutu’s daughter, Rev. Mpho Tutu, said in a statement that her father had not been accredited as a clergyman at Mandela’s funeral, to be held in Mandela’s home village of Qunu.

Maharaj said no credentials were needed.

The issue highlights occasional frictions between Tutu and the current government of President Jacob Zuma. Two years ago, Tutu, an anti-apartheid hero often described as South Africa’s conscience, slammed the ANC-led government as “disgraceful” for not issuing a visa to the Dalai Lama. He said it was worse than the country’s former oppressive white regime.—AP