Mugabe teases Zuma about his latest political problems

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma looked jovial and upbeat when he arrived in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, for talks with President Robert Mugabe.

Mr Zuma joked with officials, but remained tight-lipped about the report by South Africa's former anti-corruption chief Thuli Madonsela linking his family to possible corruption and demands by his critics that he should step down.

President Mugabe, 92, teased Mr Zuma, 74, about his latest political troubles, saying he was pleased to see him in one piece.

The two leaders emerged from a brief closed-door meeting, with Mr Mugabe urging South Africans to increase their investments in Zimbabwe. He assured them that their businesses were safe.

Zimbabwe has been struggling to attract investment because of a controversial law that requires foreign owned companies to cede majority shares to blacks.

This was the inaugural meeting of the Zimbabwe-South Africa binational meeting which intends to strengthen ties between the two neighbours.

One agreement was signed today, over cooperation in the aviation industry.