South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa, has stepped back from official engagements after returning from the BRICS summit in India, with the presidency saying he is currently unwell.
Ramaphosa returned to South Africa on Monday following the two-day BRICS summit in New Delhi, which ended on Sunday.
His office said his doctors had advised him to take time to rest and recover.
“Where possible, the president has asked the respective ministers to represent him at scheduled engagements,” his office said in a statement on Wednesday.
The president’s absence comes as his deputy, Paul Mashatile, is also recovering from a minor medical procedure and remains away from public duties.
Mashatile said on Tuesday that his “recovery is progressing well” and that he was “regaining strength each day”.
“On the advice of my doctors, I will continue resting until advised otherwise while work and delegated responsibilities continue to be underway in the capable team in my office with other stakeholders in government, business and other sectors,” Mashatile said.
Ramaphosa, 73, attended the BRICS summit in New Delhi, where leaders from Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa discussed issues including global economic growth and the situation in the Middle East.
The simultaneous absence of the president and his deputy comes as South Africa prepares for local government elections scheduled for November 4.
