Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said South Africa has various options – apart from just arresting Russian President Vladimir Putin, should he set foot in the country.
She told journalists at a post-Cabinet briefing on Friday that the government was exploring different ways of dealing with the matter.
A warrant of arrest was issued against Putin by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
An inter-ministerial team (IMC) led by deputy president Paul Mashatile has been tasked with considering different legal routes the country can employ.
Russia is part of the BRICS summit set for August in Durban.
After a week following confusion over South Africa’s position on the ICC, because of comments by President Cyril Ramaphosa and African National Congress (ANC) secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, the country’s affirmed that it remains a signatory of the Rome Statute and is committed to the ICC.
However, it’s still stuck on the warrant of arrest from the criminal court. This with months leading up to Putin being expected to arrive on the country’s shores.
Ntshavheni said apprehending Putin was not the only option on the table.
Russia itself is not a signatory to the Rome Statute nor a member of the ICC.
Ntshavheni said the IMC will make recommendations to Cabinet, which will then take a position and communicate it with the rest of the country.
-EWN
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