Maimane vows to return to Zambia
Democratic Alliance (DA) leader Mmusi Maimane says he will return to Zambia, despite being refused entry to the African country.
Maimane was told to return to South African after he arrived in Zambia to attend the trial of that country's opposition leader Hakainde Hichilema.
Hichilema facing treason charges after a row over the presidential motorcade - his convoy failed to give way to the president's motorcade as it headed to a function last month.
Maimane said in a statement earlier this week that he wanted to show his support Hichilema and fight for democracy.
Zambia's High Commissioner in South Africa, Emmanuel Mwamba has addressed the media following his country's decision to refuse Maimane entry, after meeting with South Africa's Department of International Relations and Cooperation.
"Following the meeting, Zambia informed South Africa that Mr Maimane's presence in Zambia was going to be inimical to the sanctity, integrity and independence of the judiciary in Zambia," says Mwamba.
Maimane met with Mwamba, after which he has told media that he will return to Zambia.
"I have asked for the Zambian High Commission to give me full reasons as to why they denied us entry yesterday in Zambia. They have ensured that they will come back to me about that issue," says Maimane.
"Furthermore, we are not going to stay away. I have asked that at the next trial of Hakainde Hichilema, we will go and attend, not because we want to meddle in the courts of Zambia, but because we want to stand and ensure that the Zambian government acts in a democratic manner."