The South African government has confirmed controversial Zimbabwean president Robert Mugabe has accepted an invite to the opening ceremony of the World Cup.
Mugabe, who is banned from travelling to the European Union or the US, will be among 20 other African heads of state in attendance.
According to reports on supersport.com, Ayande Ntsaluba, director general of the department of international relations and cooperation, told reporters: “South Africa invited every African head of state to the opening to acknowledge our gratitude for their support and to underline the African nature of this event.”
Ntsaluba continued, “There may about three more who eventually respond to the invitations, but we have 20 confirmations at this point.
“Presidents Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe and Mwai Kibaki of Kenya will attend as heads of state.”
