- uMkhonto weSizwe Party leader Jacob Zuma has reportedly been discharged from a KwaZulu-Natal hospital
- The former President was admitted to a Pietermaritzburg hospital on 6 October after an appearance at a campaign event in Msinga
- There were conflicting reports surrounding Zuma's condition, with the MK Party describing it as a routine check-up
Source: Getty Images
Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.
KWAZULU-NATAL — Jacob Zuma has reportedly been discharged from a Pietermaritzburg hospital on Monday, 12 October 2026.
The former State President was admitted to a medical facility in Pietermaritzburg on 6 October 2026, after attending an election campaign event in Msinga.
Conflicting reports about his health soon surfaced online. The uMkhonto weSizwe Party claimed that it was a routine check-up at the time, despite some reports indicating that the former President was in a more serious condition.
Zuma reportedly discharged from hospital
According to eNCA, the 84-year-old was discharged from hospital on the night of 12 October 2026. eNCA reported that he was advised by his medical team to remain in the Pietermaritzburg area overnight, should there be any medical emergencies.
Doctors were expected to assess his condition on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, before he is cleared to travel back to his Nkandla homestead.
Zuma's hospitalisation and the party's response
Zuma was taken by ambulance to Netcare St Anne's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg after attending an election campaign event in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal.
Reports subsequently emerged suggesting he was in a critical condition, while others suggested otherwise. The presidency confirmed on Sunday that a doctor from the South African National Defence Force had been assigned to monitor his health.
The MK Party, however, pushed back against the severity of those reports. In an official statement, the party described the hospital visit as a routine medical check-up, noting that Zuma undergoes a full examination twice a year.
The party stated there was no cause for concern, that he was in good spirits, and that his local government election campaign programme would proceed as planned.
Zuma's grandkids share wholesome video of him
In another article, Zuma's granddaughter recorded a cheeky selfie-style video with him while he relaxed at home in KwaZulu-Natal.
Briefly News reported that she quizzed him on historical figures like Jan van Riebeeck before proudly calling him her grandfather.
The wholesome clip quickly won over South Africans, with many calling Zuma the best grandfather and president the country has ever had.
Source: Briefly News