The office of President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday denied the Russian President Vladimir Putin was on his way to South Africa.
In a terse statement issued by Dr. Bongani Ngqulunga, the Presidency said: “A fake media statement is circulating on social media purporting to be from The Presidency, claiming a State Visit to South Africa by President Vladimir Putin of the Russian Federation from 8 to 11 February 2018.
“There is no state visit by President Putin to South Africa this week. The Presidency has issued no such statement. The circulating statement is fake and is a fabrication.”