David Mabuza, by proxy of his position in the Executive, became the interim president after Cyril Ramaphosa tested positive for COVID-19.
Ramaphosa tests positive for COVID-19
In a statement, the presidency noted the president started feeling unwell after leaving the state-funded memorial service of the late FW de Klerk.
“The President is in good spirits but is being monitored by the South African Military Health Service of the South African National Defence Force,” the statement read.
The presidency confirmed Ramaphosa, who is fully vaccinated, is self-isolating at his Cape Town residence for the next 10 days and in his absence, Mabuza will step in as leader of the country.
What powers does David Mabuza have as interim president?
News of the interim appointment sent social media into a raucous with South Africans mostly speculating about the powers vested in Mabuza who, once upon a time, contested for the presidential post.
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With Cyril Ramaphosa in isolation because of COVID The New President Of South Africa is David Mabuza. I smell level 100🤦🏾♂️ pic.twitter.com/AmJwZJT6DH
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) December 13, 2021
These people want to lock us down, for this Ramaphosa to test positive is for him to go sit at home give all responsibilities to David Mabuza then the black cat should be the one one shutting down everything…..
— Shikwambanamandla (@Shikwambanaman1) December 12, 2021
According to Chapter V of the Constitution, a president is responsible for:
- assenting to and signing Bills;
- referring a Bill back to the National Assembly for reconsideration of the Bill’s constitutionality;
- summoning the National Assembly, the National Council of Provinces or Parliament to an extraordinary sitting to conduct special business;
- receiving and recognising foreign diplomatic and consular representatives;
- pardoning or reprieving offenders and remitting any fines, penalties or forfeitures; and
- conferring honours.
As the interim president, Mabuza will assume the roles, responsibilities and have authority over the functions of the Executive, and high on his itinerary this week, will be acting on the increasing COVID-19 infections propelled by the super transmissive Omicron variant.
The next spate of high-level meetings between the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC), the President’s Coordinating Council (PCC), the Ministerial Advisory Council (MAC) and scientists are expected to take place as early as Tuesday 12 December and, according to the rumour mill, a harsh lockdown is not outside the realm of possibility for the remainder of 2021.
However, the first order of business for the interim president was to wish Ramaphosa well on his road to recovery.
Wishing President @CyrilRamaphosa strength and a speedy recovery from the coronavirus.
— David D Mabuza (@DDMabuza) December 13, 2021
