Mourners gather in South African for funeral of controversial Zulu prince Buthelezi

FILE PHOTO: South Africa's leader of the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) Mangosuthu Buthelezi speaks to supporters ahead of the national elections, in Richards Bay, north of Durban, in South Africa, April 19, 2009. REUTERS/Rogan Ward/File Photo

ULUNDI, South Africa (Reuters) - Thousands of mourners gathered in eastern South Africa on Saturday for the state funeral of Mangosuthu Buthelezi.

The veteran South African politician, Zulu prince and controversial figure during the apartheid liberation struggle, died last week aged 95.