Gareth Cliff Jokes After Ramaphosa and Several Leaders Reportedly Fall Ill After BRICS Summit
- Gareth Cliff took to X to react after reports emerged that multiple world leaders fell ill following the BRICS summit in New Delhi
- President Cyril Ramaphosa returned from India on Monday and was officially booked off public engagements on Wednesday on medical advice
- India's Ministry of External Affairs has since rejected claims that leaders fell ill at the summit, labelling the reports as fake
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Source: UGC
Radio and media personality Gareth Cliff stirred conversation on X after reacting to reports that several world leaders fell ill after attending the BRICS Summit in New Delhi. Posting on Thursday, 17 September 2026, Cliff quoted a Polymarket post about the reported illnesses and asked:
"Delhi belly? Or a more serious problem? đź’©"
Ramaphosa booked off after BRICS return
President Cyril Ramaphosa is among the leaders who fell under the weather after the summit. The Presidency confirmed on Wednesday, 16 September 2026, that Ramaphosa, who returned from India on Monday, had been advised by his medical team to rest and recover. His office noted that relevant ministers would stand in for him at scheduled public engagements where possible.
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India rejects claims of mass illness at summit
India's Ministry of External Affairs has pushed back firmly against the viral reports, dismissing them as "fake" and warning the public against "malicious" social media posts. The BRICS Summit took place in New Delhi on 12 and 13 September 2026.
Separately, speculation swirled on social media that Chinese President Xi Jinping skipped the BRICS gala dinner and departed India early due to illness. Those claims originated from Xie Wanjun, chair of the China Democracy Party, an unregistered political organisation based in the United States.
Xie alleged on X that the 73-year-old Chinese leader suffered a severe ischemic stroke during the summit and was flown to Beijing 301 Hospital. Official Chinese records indicate Xi completed his summit activities and departed as planned, and the claims remain unverified.
Mzansi weighed in on Cliff's post with a mix of humour and scepticism. Below are some of the reactions:
@Lionsavvy77 said:
"I saw some moronic posts where they are blaming the CIA for poisoning them."
@Broughty80 shared:
"His body finally collapsed due to lack of spine"
@handrivorster shared:
"I had Delhi belly when I visited India. Wow - it was bad! Man down for 2 days !"
@SomeWhiteMeatZA joked:
"World leaders taken out by curry. Beautiful stuff..."
@CasperLabuscha1 remarked:
"Or time-out to deposit the latest stash of dollars in the couch?"
Source: Getty Images
Gareth Cliff mocks Lamola after US visa restrictions
Meanwhile, Briefly News reported that Gareth Cliff took a swipe at International Relations Minister Ronald Lamola over his remarks on US visa restrictions against South Africa.
This was after Lamola suggested that lobbying by groups claiming to represent Afrikaner interests played a role in Washington's targeted visa measures.
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Source: Briefly News
