Putin Congratulates New South Africa’s President, Ramaphosa

Russia President,  Vladimir Putin has congratulated Cyril Ramaphosa on his election as the new President of South Africa.

Putin also expressed his gratitude towards the struggle against apartheid and the emergence of a democratic society in the country.

“Putin sent a congratulatory telegram to Ramaphosa on the occasion of his election as the President of South Africa.

“The Russian leader expressed appreciation for Ramaphosa’s contribution to the struggle against apartheid and the establishment of a democratic society in South Africa and expressed the belief that his work as the president would further advance the country toward progress and prosperity,” the press release read.

NAN reports that Ramaphosa took over as president of South Africa on Thursday, immediately vowing to fight corruption in a direct reference to accusations levelled against his predecessor, Jacob Zuma.

Ramaphosa’s appointment as head of state came less than 16 hours after  Zuma resigned, having defiantly refused to leave the office for days.

Within minutes of the result of a parliamentary vote being announced in Cape Town, Ramaphosa said he would move to tackle endemic graft in South Africa.

“Issues to do with corruption, issues of how we can straighten out our state-owned enterprises and how we deal with ‘state capture’ are issues that are on our radar screen,” he said, in a reference to improper influence over government institutions, ministers and state-owned businesses by Zuma’s associates.

Ramaphosa, 65, sat quietly while lawmakers from the ruling African National Congress stood, clapped and sang in celebration.

He was elected unopposed.