South African President Cyril Ramaphosa Booked Off From Public Engagements Due to Ill Health
The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa announced on Wednesday that President Cyril Ramaphosa has been booked off from all public engagements due to ill health.
According to a statement issued by presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, the Ramaphosa’s medical team advised him to rest and recover immediately.
Ramaphosa recently returned to South Africa on Monday following his attendance at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, India.
The exact details and nature of the President’s illness have not been disclosed. However, the announcement follows a highly taxing international schedule, including a final press conference at the summit just days prior.
Due to his temporary absence, President Ramaphosa has requested relevant Cabinet ministers to step in and represent him at scheduled public events where possible.
Notably, local reports indicate that this medical directive will affect major upcoming international commitments, forcing the President to cancel his leadership of the South African delegation to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
The news of the President’s sudden medical leave comes at a sensitive time for the executive branch, following weeks of ongoing medical recovery for Deputy President Paul Mashatile, who previously collapsed from heat exhaustion at a public event and underwent an undisclosed medical procedure earlier this year.
The Presidency has assured the public that the President is following strict medical advice to ensure a full and speedy recovery.
