South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has temporarily stepped back from public engagements due to ill health, just after returning from the BRICS summit in India.

In a statement on Wednesday, 16 September, the presidency said the 73-year-old president “is currently booked off from public engagements” and had been “advised by his medical team to rest and recover”.

The government did not disclose the nature of his illness or how long he will be absent.

Ramaphosa returned home on Monday, 15 September, after attending the summit in New Delhi.

The summit, which discussed global economic, political and security issues, was attended by several leaders including UN Secretary-General António Guterres, Russia's President Vladimir Putin and China's Xi Jinping.

Leaders from Africa included Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Burundi's Evariste Ndayishimiye, and Nigerian Vice-President Kashim Shettima.

India has rejected reports on social media linking illnesses to the summit.

Some unverified reports claimed Xi Jinping might have gotten ill too after attending.

But India's Ministry of External Affairs described the claims as ‘’fake’’ and “malicious.”

Back in South Africa, it's not just President Ramaphosa who is ill.

Deputy president’s medical leave

Deputy President Paul Mashatile is also on medical leave after what his office called a minor medical procedure. He was not at the BRICS summit.

The nature of his illness is not publicly known, but he said his recovery was “progressing well”.

The dual absence comes as South Africa prepares for crucial local elections in November.

So who governs when both are unavailable?

Under Section 90 of the Constitution, the Deputy President would normally act as president. If he is also unavailable, a minister designated by the President can act.

If that is not possible, cabinet can designate a minister, followed ultimately by the Speaker.

At this moment, President Ramaphosa has asked “respective ministers” to represent him at scheduled events “where possible”.

State broadcaster SABC reports Foreign Minister Ronald Lamola will lead South Africa's delegation to the UN General Assembly in New York next week in Ramaphosa's absence.

This comes amid escalating diplomatic tensions after the US imposed visa restrictions on some South Africans over claims that White South Africans are persecuted, claims Pretoria rejects.