South African leadership contender Ramaphosa says report alleging affairs is attempted smear

JOHANNESBURG, (Reuters) - South African Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa has denied a report by a Sunday newspaper alleging that he had affairs with several women, describing it as an attempt to discredit him ahead of the ruling party’s leadership contest.

The African National Congress (ANC) picks President Jacob Zuma’s successor in December and unionist-turned-business tycoon Ramaphosa is expected to face Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, former African Union chairwoman and Zuma’s ex-wife.

Ramaphosa has pledged to fight the corruption that has plagued Zuma’s time in office.

The Sunday Independent newspaper said it obtained emails linking Ramaphosa to at least eight women, saying he pays their tuition fees, accommodation and other expenses.

The newspaper said it had seen documents showing Ramaphosa holds three alternative email accounts under fake names, which he uses to communicate with the women. The deputy president said the claims were aimed at discrediting him, using similar tactics to those of the former apartheid regime to smear its opponents.

Ramaphosa had filed a court application on Saturday night to try to prevent the newspaper from running the story but a judge ruled that it could be published.

In a separate interview with the Sunday Times newspaper, Ramaphosa said he and his wife supported 30 women and 24 men financially every month. He conceded he had an affair that ended eight years ago, and had since reconciled with his wife.