SOUTH Africa will grant diplomatic immunity to foreign dignitaries who will come to the country’s upcoming BRICS Summit later this year.
Amid speculations on whether or not Russian President Vladimir Putin will be arrested once he arrived in International Criminal Court (ICC)-member country South Africa for the upcoming BRICS Summit.
Minister of International Relations Cooperation (DIRCO), Grace Naledi Mandisa Pandor said the South African government will grant diplomatic immunity to foreign dignitaries attending the event, although this will not override warrants issued by international courts.
It can be remembered that Putin has been invited to attend the BRICS Leaders Summit in August, however, he is the subject of an arrest warrant issued by the ICC.
The South African Government Gazette that the minister signed on May 18th states that,
“In accordance with the powers vested in me by section 6(2) of the diplomatic immunities and privileges act, 2001, I hereby recognize the BRICS ministerial meetings to be held in Cape Town, South Africa from 1 to 2 June 2023 and the 15th BRICS Summit to be held in Johannesburg, South Africa from 22 to 24 August for the purpose of granting the immunities and privileges provided for in section 6(1) of the said act as set out in the attached notice,” said DIRCO, South Africa.
DIRCO Deputy Director General for Public Diplomacy Clayson Monyela said that the declaration of immunity was a procedural routine and that it had nothing to do with Putin.
“This is a standard conferment of immunities which government does for all international conferences held in South Africa, irrespective of the level of participation; the immunities are for the conference, and not for specific individuals.”
“They amend to protect the conference and its attendees for the jurisdiction of the host country for the duration of the conference.”
“These immunities do not override any warrant that may have been issued by any international tribunal against any attendee of the conference,” said Clayson Monyela, DIRCO Deputy Director General for Public Diplomacy.
It can be remembered that Russia does not recognize the legitimacy or authority of the ICC, South Africa, however, is an ICC participant, and the leadership of the country has previously issued mixed messages regarding any possible steps should Putin attend the South African BRICS Summit in person.
Last month, South African Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa promised to leave the ICC, but his presidential office back tracked the statements a day later, saying that Ramaphosa made the erroneous remarks.
And in a recent interview with BBC, South Africa’s ruling African National Congress ANCF Party Fikile Mbalula said they would want to welcome Putin in the country, but also acknowledged that they are constrained by the ICC.
