SADC summit officially opened by Sadc Chairman, Namibian President Pohamba

The SADC extra ordinary Summit was on Saturday officially opened by the SADC Chairman, Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba in Johannesburg, South Africa.

The meeting will consider the Livingstone Troika Summit document on Zimbabwe as well as the report on SADC envoys to the European Union and the United States of America calling for the lifting of the illegal sanctions imposed on the country.

Also on the agenda is the Madagascar conflict where the facilitator to the conflict, former Mozambique President, Johachim Chissano is expected to present a report to the SADC heads of state and government attending the summit.

All SADC heads of state are attending the summit except for President Joseph Kabila of the Democratic Republic of Congo, President Rupia Banda of Zambia, President Seretse Khama Ian Khama of Botswana and Eduardo dos Santos of Angola.

The Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces, President Robert Mugabe is in attendance.

Ahead of the summit, President Mugabe on Friday met South African President Jacob Zuma in a closed door meeting at Mashambandlovhu, the official residence of President Zuma.

Addressing journalists, South African facilitator, Ms Lindiwe Zulu said the meeting centered on the issues on the Tripartite Summit agenda.

President Mugabe is accompanied by the Minister of Defence, Emmerson Mnangagwa, the two Zanu PF negotiators, Patrick Chinamasa and Nicholas Goche.

He was met at Water Kloef Airbase by the Zimbabwean Ambassador to South Africa, Bekezela Mpoko and Zimbabwean Embassy officials.