South African President, Ramaphosa tests positive for COVID-19 days after visiting President Buhari

South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa has tested positive for COVID-19 days after visiting President Buhari in Abuja. Local news platform reported that Ramaphosa felt unwell and was exhibiting mild symptoms on Sunday December 12, after leaving a memorial service for FW de Klerk, the former South African deputy president, in Cape Town.

The President has assigned his responsibilities to David Mabuza, the deputy president.

The South African presidency stated that Ramaphosa is “in good spirits” and is being monitored by doctors. Though he is fully vaccinated, he is expected to remain in self-isolation.

The statement added; “Vaccination remains the best protection against severe illness and hospitalisation. People who have had contact with the president today are advised to watch for symptoms or to have themselves tested.”

President Muhammadu Buhari received the South African president on December 1 at the presidential villa in Abuja. This was also same day Nigeria reported three cases of the Omicron COVID variant. South African Presidency however said that Ramaphosa and his delegation were tested for COVID-19 after returning from a four-country visit to West Africa and it came out negative. The statement read; “The president and the delegation returned to South Africa from the Republic of Senegal on Wednesday, 8 December 2021, after obtaining negative test results.“The president also tested negative on his return to Johannesburg on 8 December.”