afrol News, 8 May - The South African government has stepped up security ahead of the inauguration of President Jacob Zuma in Pretoria tomorrow, as several Heads of State and Government began to arrive in the country.

Mr Zuma will be inaugurated as the fourth president at a ceremony to be held at the Union Buildings in the administrative capital, Pretoria. Some 29 heads of states and government have been confirmed to be attending the ceremony, including the two southern African monarchs, King Mswati of Swaziland and King Letsie III of Lesotho.

Other dignitaries confirmed to have already arrived in South Africa for the ceremony include Cote d' Ivoire's president Laurent Gbagbo, Tanzanian's Jikaya Kikwete, Equatorial Guinea's Theodore Nguema and James Michel of the Seychelles.

The South African government has a list of more than 5000 invited guests to the event, while 30 000 people are expected to gather at the venue of the ceremony.

As part of the security and convenience for the dignataries, some major roads and intersections in Pretoria will be closed tomorrow, with the government also having setup a joint special unit for both security, safety and health.

Meanwhile, a prominent Durban businessman was reported to have been arrested yesterday for allegedly offering a bribe to one of the organising officials to secure a prime seat at the inauguration.

The businessman, said to be a leading backer of Mr Zuma is said to have tried to offer an equivalent of US$ 12 to a female official, who instead raised alarm and called her superiors.

The man named as Roy Moodley, was reportedly released last night on a R2,000 (about $237) bail, while his case is yet to be given a date. He faces charges of bribery and corruption.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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