# South African executive medical leave

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-executive-medical-leave
> Updated: 2026-09-16T15:36:23.000Z. Sources: 23. Developments: 2.

South African executive leadership is facing simultaneous health challenges involving both the President and Deputy President.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has been recovering from a minor surgical procedure performed in early August. While he has been participating in some proceedings via virtual platforms, he has remained off normal duties to regain strength.

Following this, President Cyril Ramaphosa has been advised by medical teams to withdraw from public duties to recover from an unspecified illness following his return from the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The Presidency has stated that Ramaphosa remains in charge of government operations and has not designated an acting president, instead requesting that ministers represent him at scheduled engagements.

This simultaneous absence of the country’s top two leaders occurs ahead of the municipal elections scheduled for November 4.

In response to the President’s health status, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has issued a fact-check warning regarding social media claims suggesting multiple world leaders fell ill after the summit. While confirming Ramaphosa’s illness, the Ministry labeled reports of other leaders, including Chinese President Xi Jinping, falling ill as ‘fake’ and ‘malicious’. The Ministry noted there is no evidence linking the health of these leaders to the BRICS summit in India.

## Claims

- India's Ministry of External Affairs dismissed social media claims that multiple world leaders fell ill after the BRICS Summit as fake and misleading. (disputed by 7 sources)
- President Cyril Ramaphosa has temporarily withdrawn from public engagements due to ill health. (disputed by 6 sources)
- Ramaphosa has requested relevant cabinet ministers to represent him at scheduled public engagements during his recovery. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Ramaphosa returned to South Africa on Monday following his participation in the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also on medical leave following a minor medical procedure. (corroborated by 5 sources)
- Unverified social media reports claimed Chinese President Xi Jinping suffered a medical emergency during or after the summit. (corroborated by 5 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-16: Cyril Ramaphosa suspends public duties due to ill health

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has stepped back from public duties due to ill health. India's Ministry of External Affairs has debunked viral social media claims that multiple BRICS leaders fell ill at

21 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cyril-ramaphosa-withdraws-from-public-duties-due-to-illness

### 2026-09-14: Paul Mashatile to remain off duty following medical procedure

South African Deputy President Paul Mashatile is recovering from a minor medical procedure but will remain off duty until medically cleared, following weeks of absence from public life.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/paul-mashatile-to-remain-off-duty-following-medical-procedure

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Cite as: South African executive medical leave. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/south-african-executive-medical-leave