Cyril Ramaphosa: South African deputy president admits affair
South Africa's Deputy President
Cyril Ramaphosa has admitted having an extra-marital affair, but denied
reports of multiple affairs.
Speaking after allegations about his
private life were published in newspapers, he accused political
opponents of trying to smear him.
Mr Ramaphosa is planning to contest the leadership of the governing African National Congress (ANC).
President Jacob Zuma steps down from the post later this year.
Mr Ramaphosa's private emails were apparently hacked into to prove an affair between him and a medical doctor.
The emails reportedly suggest he also had a series of affairs with young women, and had unprotected sex.
The
deputy president admitted he had had an affair with a doctor eight
years ago, but said the other women named in connection with him were
students he and his wife supported to further their education.
Mr
Ramaphosa had tried to block publication of the allegations in the
courts, arguing that his private affairs were not in the public
interest.
He also said he would ask the country's inspector general of intelligence to investigate the hacking of his emails.
"I had a relationship with only one person and it ended. I dealt with it with my wife," Mr Ramaphosa told South Africa's Sunday Times.
"I
have to be prevented at all costs from ascending to the position of
president of the ANC. Some have even said it will be over their dead
bodies.
"I have not committed any crimes, I have not stolen any
money, I have not looted state resources. But I am being targeted and
smeared."
The 64-year-old and Mr Zuma's ex-wife Nkosazana
Dlamini-Zuma are the front runners to replace Mr Zuma when he steps down
as ANC president in December.
The leader of the ANC automatically becomes the party's candidate for president of the country.
BBC
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