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Cyril Ramaphosa suspends public duties due to ill health
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has temporarily withdrawn from public engagements due to ill health. The Presidency confirmed that the 73-year-old leader, who recently returned from the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, has been advised by his medical team to rest and recover. During his absence, relevant cabinet ministers will represent him at scheduled official duties.
Simultaneously, Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also on medical leave following a minor medical procedure, though he has reported that his recovery is progressing well. The simultaneous absence of South Africa's top two leaders occurs ahead of the country's municipal elections scheduled for November 4.
Following the summit, unverified social media reports circulated claiming that multiple world leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, had fallen ill or suffered medical emergencies. India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has officially dismissed these claims as fake and malicious, urging the public to rely on verified diplomatic updates. While Ramaphosa's illness is confirmed by his office, the MEA noted there is no evidence linking his condition or the health of other leaders to the BRICS summit in India.
Entities
BRICS Summit · Cyril Ramaphosa · Ministry of External Affairs · Paul Mashatile · Presidency of South Africa · South Africa · Xi Jinping
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ramaphosa returned to South Africa on Monday following his participation in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. rn.co.mz · www.bona.co.za · newscentraltv.com · blueprint.ng · thedeepdive.ca
- [● 5 SOURCES] Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also on medical leave following a minor medical procedure. rn.co.mz · www.bona.co.za · newscentraltv.com · www.sapeople.com · www.timesnownews.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Ramaphosa has requested relevant cabinet ministers to represent him at scheduled public engagements during his recovery. rn.co.mz · www.bona.co.za · newscentraltv.com · blueprint.ng · thedeepdive.ca
- [● 5 SOURCES] Unverified social media reports claimed Chinese President Xi Jinping suffered a medical emergency during or after the summit. lesothotribune.co.ls · thenews21.com · wltreport.com · thedeepdive.ca · www.timesnownews.com
- [DISPUTED] India's Ministry of External Affairs dismissed social media claims that multiple world leaders fell ill after the BRICS Summit as fake and misleading. lesothotribune.co.ls · thenews21.com · bilkulonline.com · www.ibtimes.co.in · www.latestly.com · +2 more
- [DISPUTED] President Cyril Ramaphosa has temporarily withdrawn from public engagements due to ill health. rn.co.mz · www.bona.co.za · newscentraltv.com · wltreport.com · blueprint.ng · +1 more