Trade union federation Cosatu said Swaziland’s King Mswati III was not welcome at president-elect Jacob Zuma’s inauguration.

The king was widely condemned as a dictator as he ascended to the throne at 18 in one of Africa’s last monarchies.

Cosatu’s Patrick Craven said it would not be appropriate for him to attend Zuma’s inauguration where democracy would be celebrated.

“It would be entirely inappropriate to welcome King Mswati III who’s been elected by no one and inherited his position, is an absolute monarch, bans opposition parties and ruthlessly puts down any demonstrations against his rule.”