80 000 expected at Mugabe's inauguration

imbabwe has declared Thursday a national holiday to allow people to take part in President Robert Mugabe’s inauguration with officials expecting up to 80 000 people to attend the main event in Harare, a report said on Wednesday.

According to newzimbabwe.com, international stars who include an unnamed Jamaican star and Ladysmith Black Mambazo from South Africa have been invited to perform at the inauguration.

Mugabe confirmed on Sunday that he would be inaugurated on Thursday as he returned from a summit of the SADC grouping in Malawi where regional leaders endorsed his re-election in the 31 July vote.

"We have set Thursday as the day for inauguration," he said.

"That’s when I will take the oath, which will be followed by a careful consideration of the names of people you voted, the people you saw fit to lead you in parliament. That’s where we will pick the ministers."