DA claims win as Putin decides to stay home

The party had launched an application in the Gauteng High Court requesting a declaratory order that if Putin arrives in South Africa to attend the summit, the South African government must immediately detain and surrender him to the ICC.

The International Criminal Court issued a warrant for Putin's arrest in March, accusing him of human rights violations in the war in Ukraine. South Africa, as a signatory to the Rome Statute and a member of the ICC, would have to oblige and arrest Putin should he arrive in the country.

The Presidency said a mutual agreement was reached that Russia will be represented by its Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

But DA leader John Steenhuisen was adamant that it was his party which managed to safeguard the country’s economic interests.

"The DA is resolute in our stance that the South African government must not compromise its duty to uphold international law for the sake of political alliances or the ANC’s narrow financial interests.

“We believe that by adhering to our treaty obligations and respecting the principles of international law, we can create a more just, equitable, and respected South Africa.

“Getting Vladimir Putin to bend his knee before the rule of law is no small feat, and the DA’s victory to keep him out of our country is a victory for South Africa," said Steenhuisen.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International South Africa, which had applied to join the DA case as a friend of the court, labelled the announcement as unsurprising.

At the same time, Helen Suzman Foundation's Nicole Fritz said the Presidency and South African diplomats should be credited.

"The SA presidency, and our diplomats, have carefully and skilfully managed a dilemma that would tax any government in the world.

They’ve done so without any real precedent, forging their own path. This merits real recognition. Well done to them," Fritz said.

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