Govt insists BRICS summit not moving to China

This was confirmed by presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya in a media briefing on Monday. 

Magwenya said while some media platforms have been reporting that the summit might be moved to China, it is not true. 

"We have seen similar reports, we have not been behind those media reports as the presidency, should there be any change with respect to the hosting of the summit, the president will communicate that, as things stand South Africa will be hosting and chairing the BRICS summit," says Magwenya. 

On Thursday last week, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni reiterated that South Africa remains the host of the BRICS summit. 

This will remain the case until the inter-ministerial committee complete its work. 

South Africa is set to host the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India and China at the 15th BRICS Summit from 22 to 24 August. 

The preparations for the summit have been overshadowed by questions about the attendance of Russian President, Vladimir Putin. 

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for Putin’s arrest, accusing him of human rights violations in the war in Ukraine. 

As one of the BRICS members, he is expected to attend the summit. 

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. 

So far, speculations have been that the South African could abandon hosting this year and give the rights to China, or allow Putin to join the summit virtually. 

The Monday briefing comes just a day after President Cyril Ramaphosa and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping spoke over a phone call about the upcoming peace mission by African leaders to Russia and Ukraine.

 Magwenya confirmed that the two also spoke about the summit but couldn't confirm the context of the conversation. 

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