India, Sept. 17 -- South African President Cyril Ramaphosa's decision to stay away from public events after being advised to rest by his medical team triggered rumours of several leaders being affected by their presence at the Brics Summit - a development swiftly dismissed by the external affairs ministry.

A statement issued on Wednesday by South Africa's Presidency said that Ramaphosa will stay away from public engagements "due to ill health". Ramaphosa, 73, who returned to South Africa from the Brics Summit in New Delhi on Monday, has been advised by his medical team to "rest and recover", the statement said.

Ramaphosa has asked ministers to represent him at scheduled public engagements, the statement said without giving details of hi...