Zuma, whose ruling ANC party won a sweeping election victory last week although falling just short of the two-thirds majority needed to ensure a parliamentary majority big enough to make constitutional changes unchallenged, will be inaugurated as South Africa's third democratically elected president on May 9.
The South African foreign affairs department, which is responsible for inviting foreign dignitaries said that only heads of states can be invited and they had in accordance with state protocol invited Mugabe only and not Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai.
The invitations are for heads of states. There is only one head of state in Zimbabwe so the invitation goes to the head of state, that's it, foreign affairs spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said.
It will be up to Mugabe as president to extend the invitation to Tsvangirai.
We invite the president who is the head of state and government. Unless the president refers to the prime minister, the president is invited."
The foreign affairs department on Wednesday said 21 heads of state have so far confirmed they will be attending Zuma’s inauguration and 20 other countries would be represented mostly by their foreign ministers and special envoys.
Mugabe and Tsvangirai formed a unity government under a power sharing deal brokered last year by former South African President Thabo Mbeki on behalf of the regional Southern Africa Development Community (SADC).
Tsvangirai was sworn in as Prime Minister last February to open a new chapter of cooperation with Mugabe who remained President, immediately sparking hope that Zimbabweans will see their country finally emerge from a decade of economic and political crisis.
Zimbabwe’s Ambassador to South Africa Simon Kaya Moyo when contacted for comment said the issue of who is coming or accompanying Mugabe to Zuma's inauguration is an internal matter between Zimbabwean politicians.
This is an internal matter because the invitation is sent to the head of state, in this case the president who will then choose the delegates whom he wants to accompany him. We are all waiting to hear from home (Zimbabwe). At this moment I can't confirm that Prime Minister is not coming because I haven't received the list but hope will receive it soon, Moyo said.
Zuma who has been outspoken against Mugabe’s autocratic rule has said that under his rule South Africa will continue with its efforts to find lasting solutions to political problems in neighbouring Zimbabwe and other flashpoints in Africa. – ZimOnline