Zimpapers Logo

Farirai Machivenyika, Harare Bureau
Sadc chairperson and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa and his Botswana counterpart Mokgweetsi Masisi have confirmed their attendance at President-elect Mnangagwa’s inauguration set for Sunday at the National Sports Stadium.

President Masisi is also expected to travel with two former Botswana Presidents, Seretse Khama Ian Khama and Festus Mogae. The confirmation of the Presidents’ attend was confirmed through posts at the respective twitter handles.

President Ramaphosa’s confirmed his attendance through his twitter handle, @PresidentZA.

“President Cyril Ramaphosa will undertake Working Visits to the Republic of Zambia and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and attend the Presidential Inauguration in the Republic of Zimbabwe,” reads the tweet from the South African President’s office.

The Botswana Government also confirmed that President Masisi would attend the ceremony through its government’s twitter feed, @BWGovernment.

“The Office of the President wishes to inform that His Excellency @OfficialMasisi, the President of the Republic of Botswana, will travel to Harare, #Zimbabwe on Sunday, (12/8/18).

“Accompanying His Excellency the President on the trip will be Former Presidents HE Mr. Festus G. #Mogae and H.E. Lt. General Dr. Seretse Khama Ian #Khama aboard the Presidential Jet, #OK1, at His Excellency’s invitation,” said the Botswana Government.

Government has also sent out invitations to diplomats in the country to attend the inauguration of President-elect Mnangagwa.

President-elect Mnangagwa won the presidency in the harmonised elections held on July 30 after beating 22 other aspirants. His nearest challenger was MDC Alliance’s Nelson Chamisa who has indicated his intention to challenge the result although he had not done so by the time of going to print yesterday.

Anyone wishing to challenge the outcome of the poll has until end day today to file their challenge.

On Wednesday Justice, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Ziyambi Ziyambi said Government would continue with preparations for the inauguration ceremony will proceed unless any aggrieved party file a challenge within the timeframe stipulated by the law.