President Cyril Ramaphosa has addressed the recent claims circulating on social media that he had fallen ill and was admitted to the Military Hospital in Pretoria.
Speaking at the Louwville Cemetery during the African National Congress’ (ANC) 112th birthday celebration, Ramaphosa reassured the nation that he is in perfect health and dismissed the “exaggerated” claims of being taken to the ICU.
On Sunday, social media accounts, including one under the name of Economic Freedom Fighters’ leader Julius Malema, shared the claims that Ramaphosa had collapsed and was hospitalized.
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However, the ANC has since dismissed the account as fake, and Presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya took to social media to confirm that the President was in good health.
“A malicious rumor has been circulating about the President’s health and his alleged hospitalization. I want to assure the public that the President is fine, he was never hospitalized, and there was no emergency.
He attended a meeting and decided to spend the rest of the day at home ahead of a busy week,” said Magwenya.
During his speech at the wreath-laying ceremony, Ramaphosa reiterated his good health and clarified the sequence of events.
“I had meetings, and then I continued working at home, clearly on the instructions of the officials, saying: ‘We want you to be well-preserved because the next six days are going to be vigorous for you as president’,” explained Ramaphosa.
He further emphasized, “So the news of my illness and the news that I was in ICU are extremely exaggerated; I am fit as a fiddle, I had no illness whatsoever, I didn’t collapse at all. You can see for yourself, this is not a fake Ramaphosa, not a double.”
The ANC is commemorating 112 years since its formation, and as part of the celebrations, President Ramaphosa, accompanied by the party’s NEC members, visited the Louwville Cemetery to lay wreaths at the grave sites of struggle stalwarts.
Later, they will have a luncheon with the families of the stalwarts at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga.
These claims and subsequent dismissal highlight the power and influence of social media in disseminating information. In an era where fake news spreads rapidly, it is essential to verify sources and rely on official statements to avoid unnecessary panic or misinformation.
President Ramaphosa’s assurance of his good health serves to reassure the nation and instill confidence in his ability to lead. As he continues with his busy schedule, South Africans can rest assured that their President is fit and ready to tackle the challenges ahead.
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