Govt must explore alternatives for Putin - Mbalula

The summit will be held in South Africa in August.

The South African government is under immense pressure to make a decision on Putin's attendance amid the International Criminal Court’s warrant of arrest against him.

Putin has been accused of human rights violations in the war in Ukraine.

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

South Africa, as a signatory to the Rome Statute, would be obliged to arrest Putin if he physically attends the summit.

President Cyril Ramaphosa has already expressed his confidence that the impasse will be resolved before August.

Speaking at a media briefing on Wednesday, Mbalula said although the South African government would appreciate hosting Putin for the summit, his presence would leave the government in a difficult position.

"We don't expect our government to do anything illegal and to break the law. If there are other means necessary to get President Vladimir Putin to participate in the BRICS summit, either virtual or another way, our government can do it.

“But by now we expect our government to have explained our situation as the host country to Russia, through the diplomatic channels, our predicament in terms of this matter of President Putin coming to our country, and us being the signatory to the Rome Statute. It means if he comes to South Africa we have to act.

“And we are not going to be party, as a country, to arresting a president coming to our country.

“We expect the government to lead on this matter, and we expect by now Russia should know that South Africa as a country and as a signatory is a constraint.

"We don't have clarity whether he is coming to South Africa or not. If in the legal prescripts, there is a possibility to get President Putin to come to the summit, we don't have a problem with that," said Mbalula.

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