DA victory: Vladimir Putin won't attend BRICS summit in South Africa

19 July 2023

The DA welcomes the announcement by the Presidency that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not attend the upcoming BRICS summit in South Africa in August.

This decision follows the DA’s application in the Gauteng High Court to force the South African government to arrest Putin if he set foot in our country, as demanded by an International Criminal Court (ICC) warrant.

By mutual agreement, Putin and Ramaphosa have now bent the knee before the DA’s fight for the rule of law.

This follows after the Gauteng High Court yesterday ruled that Ramaphosa’s affidavit attempting to shield Putin from arrest on charges of war crimes must be made public. Ramaphosa clearly realised that the jig is up in the face of the DA’s unrelenting fight to uphold the rule of law.

The DA firmly believes that no one, regardless of their position, should be above the law. Our commitment to the principles of justice, accountability, and adherence to international treaties won the day against the ANC and their Russian ally.

South Africa's reputation on the international stage and its commitment to upholding the rule of law were at stake in this matter. By standing firm on the need to adhere to our obligations under the Rome Statute and other international conventions, we have demonstrated our unwavering dedication to justice and human rights.

The DA’s victory in this matter also safeguards our 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.

We thank all South Africans who have supported us in this endeavor and stand together with our fellow citizens in our commitment to a better, fairer, and more transparent nation.

Getting Vladimir Putin to bend the 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.

Issued by John Steenhuisen, Leader of the Democratic Alliance, 19 July 2023