Ramaphosa ordered to make public affidavit on Putin arrest

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has been ordered to make public an affidavit in which he argued that arresting Russian President Vladimir Putin would amount to a declaration of war.

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile has said in recent interviews with local media the government has been trying to persuade Putin not to come — but so far unsuccessfully.

Signed in June and initially marked as “confidential,” Ramaphosa’s affidavit was published on Tuesday, after the court ruled it be made public.

But in a responding affidavit, Ramaphosa described the DA’s application as “irresponsible” and said national security was at stake.

DA leader John Steenhuisen praised the court’s decision, describing Ramaphosa’s argument that South Africa risked war with Russia as “farcical” and “flimsy.”