Paul Mashatile sworn in as acting SA President

Deputy President, Paul Mashatile was sworn in as the acting president of the Republic on Saturday while President Cyril Ramaphosa is out of the country.

Ramaphosa is in Burundi to participate in the 11th meeting commemorating the Addis Ababa agreement, a peace treaty brokered by the African Union and United Nations, aimed at stabilizing the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mashatile was sworn in on Saturday morning by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo at the Union Buildings in Pretoria.

Deputy President Shipokosa @PMashatile has been sworn-in by Chief Justice Raymond Zondo as the Acting President of the Republic of South Africa. pic.twitter.com/WoYxhci80J

— Presidency | South Africa (@PresidencyZA) May 6, 2023

Chapter Five of the South African Constitution states that if a president is travelling outside the country, the deputy president is next in line to assume the position of acting president.

In cases where the deputy president is not available, the president can appoint a minister to serve in their absence.

This happened in July 2021 when Ramaphosa was attending the funeral of former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda and deputy president David Mabuza was in Russia for medical care.

Ramaphosa appointed Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga to serve as the country’s number one citizen.

As acting president, Mashatile has the same powers, functions, and responsibilities as that of the president.

-EWN

In other news – Zoleka Mandela prepares for her funeral

South African author and activist Zoleka Mandela is celebrating finally finishing radiation treatment therapy for her brain.

The mum of six who has terminal cancer has been sharing updates about her journey as her cancer returned for the third time. Zoleka survived breast cancer twice and was diagnosed with stage three bones, lung and liver cancer. She was also recently diagnosed with brain cancer. Learn More