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.
Advertisement
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.
While busy reading about #Trump’s psychotic rule this morning, I hear someone shouting outside my window..”Good morning Mr President, we love you!” @CyrilRamaphosa pic.twitter.com/UXAuPodAcC
— Nwabisa Makunga (@nwabisa_mak) May 17, 2020
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
source: BBC