<\/p>\n
The ANC says it will discuss South Africa\u2019s participation in the International Criminal Court after it issued a warrant of arrest against Russian President Vladimir Putin.<\/p>\n
The NEC is meeting in Ekurhuleni, on the East Rand, where it will discuss the issue of the ICC.<\/p>\n
ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said on Friday that the NEC will grapple with the matter as the previous NEC had not concluded it.<\/p>\n
The government has said it was seeking legal advice on Putin\u2019s visit to attend the BRICS summit in August.<\/p>\n
This was reiterated by President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday when he said the matter of Putin\u2019s visit was still under discussion.<\/p>\n
Western powers have called for the arrest of Putin.<\/p>\n
But some of the parties in South Africa have said they will not allow Putin to be arrested on South African soil.<\/p>\n
Mbalula said the NEC will be discussing the issue of the ICC in the context of South Africa\u2019s continued participation.<\/p>\n
South Africa is one of more than 120 countries in the countries that are signatories to the Rome Statutes.<\/p>\n
Mbalula said this matter will not be left unattended as it has to be concluded.<\/p>\n
\u201cWith regard to the ICC, we are grappling with that issue not only in relation to Russia. Before that, it was the work of the previous NEC. The ANC has not reflected on that. If we say we are grappling with it, it means it was a matter left somewhere and not concluded,\u201d said Mbaluala.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are grappling with the issue of South Africa\u2019s participation in the ICC. In terms of the last NEC these are some of the outstanding matters. We need to deal with it as the NEC. I say we are grappling (because) we are indeed in that discussion,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The ANC government has been calling for an end to the conflict in Ukraine.<\/p>\n
It has called for both Russia and Ukraine to discuss and find a lasting solution to the conflict.<\/p>\n
International Relations Minister Naledi Pandor recently said SA cannot be told who its partners should be.<\/p>\n
Recently, ANC deputy chairperson of the sub-committee on international relations Obed Bapela travelled to Moscow to strengthen ties with the United Russia Party.<\/p>\n
siyabonga.mkhwanazi@inl.co.za<\/p>\n
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