Ramaphosa jokes about arrest for breaking rules

South Africa's President Cyril Ramaphosa has been caught joking about breaking social distancing rules as he posed for a photo with two women he met while taking morning exercise.

On a clip that has been widely shared it appears that the president was going for a walk or a jog when the women approached him. It seems that they asked him for a photo and he responded: "Before we get arrested". They can then be heard laughing.

Mr Ramaphosa then said: "I'd rather be arrested with you."

The two women then pose for a photo standing close on either side of the president, disregarding social distancing rules.

An article reproduced on a government website about social distancing explains that "one needs to avoid handshakes, hugs and other forms of direct contact as well as keeping a distance of at least two metres from others".

South Africa is in the process of easing a strict lockdown.

Some people on Twitter have lauded the president for agreeing to take a photo while other lashed at him for disregarding the coronavirus guidelines.

"Cyril Ramaphosa is breaking lockdown rules by first: *taking selfie * walking without security * no social distancing," tweeted Real Dumelang.

"Ramaphosa spotted jogging? Good. I like a leader who is not snobbish and moves with a battalion for protection. He must even walk into the local supermarket to buy groceries for the house. Strip away presidency he is still human after all," wrote Sure Kamhunga.

This article originally appeared on BBC News

Photo: News24