South African opposition parties Wednesday expressed concern at their exclusion from the South African government's observer delegation to this week's Palestinian presidential poll.

However it appears that there is still chance for opposition representation on the mission.

The 11-person delegation is headed by chairman of Parliament's foreign affairs portfolio committee Dumisani Sithole, an African National Congress (ANC) member.

There are two other ANC MPs on the team, which also includes Independent Electoral Commission chairperson Brigalia Bam, religious leaders and foreign affairs officials.

South Africa's biggest opposition party, the Democratic Alliance's (DA) spokesman on foreign affairs Douglas Gibson said on Wednesday he was surprised that the delegation "appears to be unrepresentative."

The DA had been requested to provide observers for several African elections, and did so. It said it seemed odd the only political participants on the Palestinian team were ANC members.

"For the eventual report of the observer mission to obtain maximum credibility and support, participation by at least the official opposition would seem to us to be desirable," he said.

Inkatha Freedom Party spokesman Musa Zondi said his party strongly objected to its exclusion from the delegation. "Our concern is how were these Members [of Parliament] selected... We call on the Speaker to put together a properly constituted parliamentary delegation which includes representatives of opposition parties," he added.

The observers are due to leave South Africa on Wednesday night and return on January 12.