Thobeka Ngema|Published
Questions remain over former president Jacob Zuma’s health and whereabouts after an MK Party statement about his hospitalisation, issued on Saturday, was subsequently deleted, leaving uncertainty over whether he remains in hospital or has been discharged.
Zuma, 84, has been hospitalised for more than a week following a routine medical check-up.
In a statement issued on Saturday - which has since been deleted - the MK Party said Zuma was “healthy and jovial” as he prepared to resume work following routine medical check-ups.
The statement said his medical team had identified fatigue and advised him to rest under medical supervision, which Zuma subsequently did, taking time to recuperate at Netcare St Anne's Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
In the same retracted statement, the party thanked the medical staff for their dedicated professional support. It further stated that Zuma had returned home and was actively engaging in MK Party matters.
“President Zuma is delighted at the work being done in the wards and branches all over South Africa ahead of the Local Government Elections in November 2026,” the statement read.
Information about Zuma’s health has remained tightly controlled, with his family and party representatives pushing back against reports that he was gravely ill in recent days.
On October 14, Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, posted videos on her X account showing her father exercising with dumbbells, seemingly seeking to counter claims about the severity of his condition.
MK Party national spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu and Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi, have also used their social media pages to share limited updates.
On Facebook, Mahlangu, referred to a news article and clarified that Zuma travels with an ambulance provided by the SA Military Health Service (SANDF), which is part of the Presidential Protection Service (PPS), in keeping with arrangements associated with his status as a former Head of State.
“The entire story is false and intended to be a distraction to voters, especially MKP members. The election propaganda designed to instil fear will not work,” Mahlangu said.
In an earlier post, he highlighted the contrast in media attention and public reaction between Deputy President Paul Mashatile and Zuma.
He said that despite being granted three months' medical leave due to an extended illness, Mashatile’s absence generated little to no national commotion or media hysteria.
Last week, Manyi dismissed news reports that Zuma had been discharged as fake news. At the time, he said Zuma was recovering very well in hospital.
Similar to Mahlangu, Manyi said there was no media frenzy over Mashatile's health.
He said Zuma deserved the same dignity, privacy and consideration that should be afforded to any person facing a health challenge.
thobeka.ngema@nationalmg.co.za