SADC chairperson and South Africa's President Kgalema Motlanthe arrived in Mbabane, Swaziland early on Sunday evening ahead of a summit, said the foreign affairs department.

Department spokesperson Ronnie Mamoepa said the Southern African Development Community heads of state and government summit would take place on Monday in Ezulwini.

Motlanthe will chair the summit to discuss the economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe, as well as the political and security situation in Madagascar.

Also part of the South African delegation is Foreign Affairs Minister Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma, Deputy Minister of Finance Nhlanhla Nene, Deputy Minister of Defence Fezile Bhengu and senior government officials.

The summit is being preceded by the SADC council of ministers meeting, chaired by Dlamini-Zuma on Sunday.

The council of ministers meeting is expected to present a proposal to the heads of state and government on the economic recovery plan for Zimbabwe.

The proposal is based on recommendations by SADC finance ministers.

The council of ministers are also expected to present a proposal of the SADC organ Troika on politics, defence and security; as well as a report of the recent visit by SADC executive secretary Dr Tomaz Salomao to Madagascar.

The report will detail how the country can be assisted to return to democracy, the rule of law and constitutionality.

The summit is expected to end late on Monday.