Cape Town – Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema says Russian President Vladimir Putin is welcome in South Africa following the issuance of an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
The ICC issued an arrest warrant for Putin last week, reported BBC.
On Thursday, Minister of International Relations Naledi Pandor announced that Cabinet was set to meet to discuss the ICC’s decision to issue a warrant for Putin.
She said the country would have to look at existing provisions in its legislation and hold discussions with colleagues in Russia to determine its next steps.
However, Malema said government should not be pressured by the ICC’s decision, reported EWN.
The report said he accused the ICC of being selective in targeting heads of state.
“Putin is welcomed here. No one is going to arrest Putin. If need be, we will go and fetch Putin from the airport to his meetings. He will address, finish all his meetings, and we will take him back to the airport.
[WATCH] “[Russian President Vladimir] Putin is welcome here, and no one is going to arrest Putin… We are not going to be told by these hypocrites of the ICC who know the murderers of this world.” – EFF leader Julius Malema.#Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/heJRlpsB2A
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) March 23, 2023
“We are not going to be told by these hypocrites of the International Criminal Court,” the report quoted Malema as saying.
According to TimesLive, Pandor slammed the ICC’s decision, adding that the matter was a “worrying aspect”.
Pandor said there were other countries and leaders who had committed serious abuse in situations of conflict but remained untouched by the ICC.
“Obviously this is a very serious decision by the ICC. We are a member state that has signed on to the ICC. Many countries which should sign on are not members of it,” the report quoted Pandor as saying.
According to News24, Putin is expected in the country later this year when South Africa hosts a summit of the heads of state of the Brics countries – Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
Meanwhile, the Presidency said it had noted Putin’s warrant of arrest and was consulting with various stakeholders on the issue.
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Picture: Twitter/ @Julius_S_Malema
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
