The Sunday Independent reported on Sunday that it was in possession of documents that link Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to affairs with eight women, some of whom he supports financially.
According to the report, Ramaphosa has three email addresses that he uses, under pseudonyms, to communicate with the women. The paper published information on three of the women with a promise to reveal the rest of the women in later editions.
In an exclusive interview with the Sunday Times, Ramaphosa admitted to having an affair with a medical doctor who is also mentioned in the Sunday Independent report. He revealed that the affair had ended years ago though.
"I had a relationship with only one person and it ended. I dealt with it with my wife. We now have a professional relationship," he told the paper.
According to the Sunday Independent report the emails show that the pair were still in communication, even this year.
"In virtually all the communication, the woman sounds like a broken-hearted and emotionally battered person who is battling to quit the relationship," says the report.
Ramaphosa has maintained that the release of what is on the emails is a deliberate smear campaign against him. In the Sunday Times interview his wife, Tshepo Matsepe reiterated this.
"It is very sad what is happening. It's disappointing that people have to go to such lengths to discredit a person. I am very, very upset about it. We have been together for a very long time and are happily married. I support and respect him and I love him."