Mbeki to hold discussion with Kabila in Pretoria

South Africa's political, economic and social relationship with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will come under scrutiny this week.

On Thursday, President Thabo Mbeki and his Congolese counterpart, Joseph Kabila will host the fifth Session of the South Africa - DRC Binational Commission in Pretoria. The meeting will be preceded by a ministerial meeting to prepare the agenda for the heads of state.

Areas of discussion include the status of co-operation in the political and diplomatic areas, defence and security, the economy and infrastructure development. Pretoria has been very instrumental in brokering a peace deal among the various Congolese factions.