President Jacob Zuma will visit Kinshasa in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on Saturday, 15 October 2017, in his capacity as chairperson of the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“The President will hold discussions with President Joseph Kabila Kabange on the issues of peace and security in the Great Lakes region, particularly the situation in the DRC,” the presidency said in a statement issued Wednesday.

“SADC is committed to assist the government and the people of the DRC to achieve sustainable peace, security and stability.”

Reports from the DRC on Wednesday quoted that country’s electoral commission saying the vote to replace Kabila, whose term expired in December, expected by the end of the year will now not happen before the start of 2019.

Kabila has been allowed to stay on in power in exchange for guarantees that elections will be held.

Zuma will be accompanied on his visit to the DRC by International Relations and Cooperation Minister Maite Nkoana-Mashabane.