Ailing Botha Names an Ally Acting Leader

President Pieter W. Botha, hospitalized with a stroke that has weakened an arm and leg, named a Cabinet minister and longtime political ally Thursday as acting president of South Africa.

Chris Heunis, minister of constitutional development and the senior-ranking Cabinet member, vowed at his swearing-in ceremony to adhere to Botha’s policies.

“Everything is normal and under control,” Heunis said later. “No government functions will be interrupted.”

Heunis, 61, served as acting president for several days last year while Botha visited Europe. He will remain in his new post until Botha either returns to office or decides to retire, at which point the Cabinet would elect a new president.

Botha, 73, suffered the stroke at his home Wednesday and was taken to a military hospital in the Cape Town suburb of Wynberg.

Left Arm, Leg Weakened

Botha’s office and hospital officials said the president was in stable condition Thursday. Doctors said his left arm and left leg were weakened by the stroke, but his facial muscles and speaking ability were not affected.

The president was able to sit up and drink tea, doctors said.

Botha, in charge of South Africa’s government since 1978, was taken Thursday to the nearby Constantiaburg Clinic for additional tests and was returned to the military hospital later in the day.

Heunis was sworn in Thursday at Tuynhuis, the president’s official residence in Cape Town.

In his Cabinet post, Heunis has been assigned to develop a constitutional format that would give blacks limited power-sharing with the white-run government.

Most prominent black leaders have refused to negotiate with Heunis, and the government’s political reform process is widely perceived to be at a standstill.