South Africa's president says the governing African National Congress (ANC) party wants the country to leave the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Cyril Ramaphosa called the decision prudent, given that - as he put it - the court had treated some countries unfairly.
But it is a process that could take up to two years. Proposed amendments to the law would be open for comment to all South Africans before going forward to parliament to be debated.
The ICC has issued an arrest warrant for Russian President Vladimir Putin for crimes against humanity during his war on Ukraine.
He is said to be responsible for the illegal deportation of Ukrainian children to Russia.
As an ICC member, South Africa would be under obligation to arrest Mr Putin if he attends a Brics countries' summit South Africa in August.
