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The Presidency has dismissed claims that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s recent holiday to Mauritius was secretive. Reports last week suggested that no acting president had been appointed while Ramaphosa was away, sparking questions about the legality of his brief trip.
Ramaphosa, accompanied by his support team, took the holiday over the Christmas period to unwind. He appeared relaxed and energised while delivering his New Year’s message, thanking South Africans for their sacrifices during 2025.
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Gwede Mantashe Took the Reins in Ramaphosa’s Absence
Vincent Magwenya, Ramaphosa’s spokesperson, clarified that Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe was acting president from 21 to 27 December.
“Firstly, the trip to Mauritius was not a secret. How can the president boarding a commercial flight be a secret? Were there no other passengers on the flight or other people at the airport?” Magwenya said.
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“Secondly, minister Mantashe was the acting president. It would be unconstitutional to leave the country without an acting president. The president paid for his own short family vacation. Why is that an issue?”
President Cleared in Inkwazi Catering Controversy
The clarification comes shortly after the Public Protector cleared the Presidency and Department of Defence of wrongdoing in the Inkwazi presidential aircraft catering scandal.
The controversy had emerged following reports that lavish meals and drinks, costing R24 000 per passenger, were served aboard Ramaphosa’s plane returning from the funeral of British Queen Elizabeth II. The probe was launched after a complaint by DA leader Johan Steenhuisen in 2023.
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