WAS it a victory or a "classic example of falsely elevated sense of importance?"
That is the question being asked across Mzansi after DA leader John Steenhuisen’s claimed a victory when it was announced that Russian President Vladimir Putin would not be coming to South Africa for the BRICS summit.
Steenhuisen excitedly announced that he and his party were the reason President Cyril Ramaphosa and Putin arrived at a mutual agreement that the Russian leader should not physically attend the summit.
The decision followed the issuing a warrant of arrest by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Putin for war crimes.
In a statement, Steenhuisen said Putin’s 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 the country.
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“By mutual agreement, Putin and Ramaphosa have now bent the knee before the DA’s fight for the rule of law,” he said.
“Our commitment to the principles of justice, accountability, and adherence to international treaties won the day against the ANC and their Russian ally.
“Our victory in this matter also safeguards our country’s economic interests.”
Steenhuisen’s utterances provoked a social media backlash, including from some who claimed they were DA members.
On Twitter, @KaissierMathwe said: “I believe the decision was made based on the obligation under the Rome Statute, an international treaty which SA is party to and not because of anything done by @Our_DA.”
He added that, this was a “classic example of @Our_DA’s falsely elevated sense of importance. Quite sure the decision had nothing to do with the court application. Why not rather improve education and sanitation in the poorest parts of the Western Cape, before trying to dictate foreign policy.”
Another twitter user @whitebo_inc, said: “The decision around Putin had nothing to do with DA politics or decision. Russia has zero respect for South Africa and BRICS is just a card they play for their own gain.”
@Siphiwehenryy questioned: “What is the victory there exactly? Don’t we have more important things like fixing Khayelisha, Nyanga etc. How has this move exactly helped a South African?”
