Cape Town, Feb 28 (IANS): South African President Jacob Zuma, who was heading a peace mission to Burundi, was unable to leave the country due to problems in his aircraft, the Presidency said.

"President Zuma was unable to leave Burundi when his aircraft Inkwazi developed technical problems," the Presidency said on Saturday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zuma was due to leave Burundi on Friday after completing the visit. He was still in the country on Saturday. 

As a result, he would miss the 16th Annual National Teaching Awards ceremony in Johannesburg on Sunday, presidential spokesperson Bogani Majola added.

Zuma, who was a mediator during the 2,000 peace agreement that ended Burundi's civil war, was mandated by the African Union (AU) to led a high-level delegation to Burundi, comprising five heads of state.

Zuma said on Friday that the delegation had successfully concluded its deliberations in Burundi, where they met the highest authorities including President Pierre Nkurunziza, leaders of political parties as well as religious and civil society leaders.