Motshekga appointed acting president

• Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga is in the driver’s seat as she becomes acting president in the absence of President Cyril Ramaphosa and his deputy, David Mabuza.
• Ramaphosa is in Zambia to attend the state funeral of the country’s former president Kenneth Kaunda.
• Meanwhile, Mabuza is out of the country receiving medical treatment in Russia.

Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga will stand in as acting president, President Cyril Ramaphosa’s office said on Friday.

The move comes after Ramaphosa’s departure for Zambia, where he will be attending the state funeral of former Zambian president Kenneth Kaunda. Deputy President David Mabuza is in Russia for medical treatment.

“The appointment has been made in view of the president’s visit today to Lusaka, Zambia, to attend the state funeral service for the late president Kenneth Kaunda,” acting spokesperson for the president Tyrone Seale said.