S. Africa’s Botha Stricken; Interim Replacement Seen

President Pieter W. Botha suffered a stroke at home today but was said to be “clear-minded.” A Cabinet member is likely to be appointed as acting president, his office said.

Botha, who turned 73 Jan. 12, was in stable condition at No. 2 Military Hospital in the Cape Town suburb of Wynberg after suffering a mild stroke, his office said. No further details were released.

Botha’s health has generally been excellent since he took charge of South Africa’s white-run government as prime minister in 1978. Under a new constitution, he became president in 1984.

Elize Botha, the president’s wife of 46 years, and some of their five children came to the hospital to be with him, state radio said.

Botha was hospitalized shortly after 8 a.m., according to the South African Broadcasting Corp.

Botha’s office said he is “quite clear-minded” and is likely to appoint one of his Cabinet ministers as acting president on Thursday.

According to South Africa’s Constitution, the president can appoint a Cabinet minister to fill in for him temporarily. If the president is incapacitated, the Cabinet can elect one of its members as acting president.

The stroke occurred a few days after Botha returned to Cape Town from a monthlong holiday at his coastal vacation home. On Friday, he was to meet members of Namibia’s territorial Cabinet to discuss the planned transition to independence by year’s end.