Zuma’s health sparks concern within MKP leadership, but no ‘crisis meeting’ yet

Former president Jacob Zuma remained hospitalised at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, with an uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP) insider telling Inside Politics that his condition was “critical”.

Despite the MKP officially saying Zuma had undergone a routine medical check-up and was “healthy and in good spirits”, a reliable source within the party confirmed that the former president had been admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).

“Yes, its true he is in hospital…The truth is it’s not looking good. Family is with him and some of the leadership,” the person said.

The source could not say whether Zuma was able to communicate with family members or party leaders who were reportedly at the hospital.

Zuma’s condition had caused panic within the party’s leadership, the source said, because he remained its public face at a crucial stage of preparations for the 4 November local government elections.

The member said the leadership had not yet called a “crisis meeting” but was closely monitoring the situation.

The Witness reported on Friday that two healthcare workers at St Anne’s had confirmed that he was receiving treatment in the ICU.

Neither Zuma’s medical team or his party has publicly confirmed the severity of his condition or disclosed the nature of his illness.

President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on Friday that Zuma was unwell and receiving medical treatment, contradicting earlier reassurances from the MKP that the former president was simply undergoing routine medical checks.

“President Jacob Zuma has not been well, and he has now been put under treatment by doctors,” Ramaphosa told reporters.

He said the military surgeon general had been briefed on Zuma’s condition.

“We wish him a very quick recovery and we want him to be well, and up, and continuing to serve the people of South Africa in whichever way.”

Zuma’s brother, Khanya Zuma, also confirmed that the former president was unwell and remained in hospital.

Speaking to News24, Khanya said he had last seen his brother on Monday, when Zuma told him he was not feeling well.

“When I last saw him, he said, ‘Brother, I am not feeling well.’ But you could not tell that he was ill,” Khanya said.

He acknowledged concerns about his brother’s health but said a younger family member who had been in contact with the hospital had received a more reassuring assessment from doctors.

The family was praying for Zuma’s recovery, he said.

Zuma, 84, was reportedly admitted late on Tuesday night after becoming unwell during a campaign appearance in Msinga, northern KwaZulu-Natal.

According to The Witness, an eyewitness saw Zuma arrive at the hospital in an ambulance accompanied by presidential protection vehicles. He was reportedly taken into the hospital on a stretcher.

The newspaper also reported that a person who attended Zuma’s campaign event in Msinga said the former president appeared to lose energy during the proceedings.

The person suggested that extremely hot conditions inside the marquee might have contributed to Zuma becoming unwell, although the cause of his reported illness has not been established.

The Witness reported that arrangements were being considered to transfer Zuma to a military hospital in Pretoria. However, no such transfer has been officially confirmed.

The circumstances surrounding Zuma’s admission prompted conflicting accounts from the MKP and his representatives, who initially disputed suggestions that he was seriously ill.

MKP spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu played down the reports, saying Zuma had gone for a scheduled medical check-up.

“The president goes and does routine check-ups at least twice a year. They check bloods and everything. We are told that he went for those check-ups. I think people saw his cars and convoy and thought he was in hospital. Well, he was, but he is fine,” Mahlangu said.

The party subsequently issued a statement confirming that Zuma had attended his routine medical examination.

“The president gets a full routine check-up twice a year. We hereby confirm that he is healthy and in good spirits. His campaign programme will continue accordingly,” the party said.

Mahlangu was also reported to have said Zuma had been discharged and returned to his Nkandla home, although subsequent reporting placed the former president at the Pietermaritzburg hospital.

The Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi initially declined to confirm whether Zuma had been hospitalised, suggesting that he could have been visiting someone else.

Manyi was not available to provide an official update when approached by Inside Politics.

Mahlangu also did not respond to text messages seeking clarification about Zuma’s condition.

Zuma’s hospitalisation comes at a politically sensitive time for the MKP, which is preparing for the 4 November municipal elections.

The former president remains the party’s most recognisable figure and has played a central role in its campaign activities, particularly in KZN, where it secured substantial support in the 2024 general elections.

The possibility that Zuma could remain sidelined during the final weeks of campaigning has heightened concerns among party members about the impact on its electoral mobilisation.

His condition and whether he remained in intensive care on Saturday morning could not be independently established.

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