South Africans react after WC premier threatens to arrest Putin

South Africans have reacted to claims by Western Cape premier Alan Winde that he is willing to arrest Russian President Vladimir Putin who is set to visit the country while there is a warrant for his arrest.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) issued a warrant for the Russian leader’s arrest over his invasion of Ukraine.

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“Even in the face of this arrest warrant, national government has the gall to invite President Putin to a Brics summit in South Africa, scheduled for later this year. This is unacceptable and deplorable.

“Putin has consistently and violently eroded the freedoms of the Ukrainian people and those in his own country who dare take a principled stand against his brutal actions. If the Russian leader sets foot in the Western Cape, we as the provincial government will have him arrested by Law Enforcement Advancement Plan (LEAP) officers. If the SA Police Service is unable or unwilling to act, then we must,” said Winde.

He said while Putin enjoys freedom, he has robbed the Ukrainians of theirs.

“South Africans on Thursday celebrate Freedom Day; itself a reminder of the long, often violent struggle South Africa endured to achieve democracy.

“The Western Cape government (WCG) will not only fight for the fundamental rights and freedoms of our citizens but is also willing to show solidarity with Ukraine by taking a stand against the brute force unleashed on its civilians by Russia,” he said.

Alan Winde added he was “highly” disturbed by how the ANC national government is entirely focused on taking steps to ensure the freedom of Putin, instead of focusing on securing freedoms for South Africans, many of whom are not free from fear and have yet to achieve economic freedom 29 years into democracy.

REACTIONS TO ALAN WINDE BY SOUTH AFRICANS;

A clown who thinks Cape Town is a country & he’s a President there.

A clown who thinks Cape Town is a country & he’s a President there. pic.twitter.com/n3qG5Y7mNG

— Man’s NOT Barry Roux  (@AdvoBarryRoux) April 28, 2023

@MasixoleMa44642

I think it’s high time we remind them to pack their things and go