Cape Town — Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says Vladimir Putin is “more than welcome” in South Africa, warning Western Cape Premier Alan Winde that he will “meet his maker” if he touched the Russian president.
Putin is expected to visit South Africa in August for the Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) summit due to take place in Johannesburg.
Winde expressed his desire on Freedom Day to have Putin arrested by the province’s Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers.
If the Russian leader sets foot in the Western Cape we as the provincial government will have him arrested by our own @WesternCapeGov funded Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers. If the South African Police Service is not instructed to act, we will. pic.twitter.com/uudvKZfHex
— Premier Alan Winde ?? (@alanwinde) April 27, 2023
“Even in the face of this arrest warrant, national government seemingly intends to push ahead and host President Putin at a Brics summit in South Africa, scheduled for later this year. This is unacceptable and deplorable.
“Putin has consistently and violently eroded the freedoms of the Ukrainian people and those in his own country who dare take a principled stand against his brutal actions. If the Russian leader sets foot in the Western Cape we as the provincial government will have him arrested by our own Western Cape Government-funded Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers. If the South African Police Service is not instructed to act, we will, Winde warned.
ALSO READ | ‘How I wish President Putin could make a turn in Cape Town’ – Malema
However, Malema took an opposing stance, welcoming Putin to South Africa and saying that “no one is going to arrest him”.
“I don’t think the premier of the Western Cape knows what he’s talking about. If he wants to meet his maker, he must try and touch Putin.
“No one can do that. Not even Biden can say such a reckless statement when it comes to Putin,” Malema said.
[WATCH] ‘If the Western Cape Premier wants to meet his maker he must try to touch Russian President Vladimir Putin’: not even Joe Biden can say such a reckless statement. – EFF Leader Julius Malema while leading a clean-up campaign in Soweto. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/3V1OAD45C4
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) April 29, 2023
How I wish President Putin could make a turn at Leeuwenhof, Gardens, Cape Town. I just want to see something. ? ?
— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) April 27, 2023
Follow African Insider on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Picture: Twitter/@goddybreezy
For more African news, visit Africaninsider.com
Compiled by Junaid Benjamin
