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.

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.