David Mabuza takes leave, heads to RUSSIA for medical treatment

Deputy President David Mabuza has requested leave to visit Russia for medical consultation, the Presidency announced on Saturday 26 June.

In a statement, the Presidency said, “Deputy President Mabuza has requested from the President, to take a few days of leave.
 
During this time, the Deputy President will undertake a visit to the Russian Federation for a scheduled medical consultation. This consultation is a follow-up to previous medical consultations that the Deputy President received from the Russian Federation.
 
“The Deputy President will continue with the responsibilities that have been entrusted to him upon the end of the leave period.”

It is unclear what Mabuza is being treated for, or why he cannot receive sufficient treatment locally.

READ: Fake News alert: Deputy President David Mabuza is ‘alive and well’

This is not the first or the second time Mabuza has sought medical treatment in Russia. In 2018, Mabuza spent more than 15 days in Russia for “routine” medical treatment. That same year the Sunday Times reported that Mabuza was receiving treatment because he was still ill as a result of a poisoning incident in 2015, for which he initially flew to Russia as he was not responding well to treatment at local hospitals.