It’s time for uBaba to step back from politics, says JZ’s brother

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Former president Jacob Zuma’s brother believes it is time for him to step back from political activities, as concerns grow over the physical demands of campaigning.

Speaking on Friday at his homestead in Nkandla, northern KwaZulu-Natal, Khanya Zuma said his 84-year-old brother’s commitment to politics was leaving him with too little time to rest, particularly ahead of the November 4 local government elections.

“My brother should be resting now,” he said. “People should be coming to him at home to see him and get political education, instead of him travelling around. I really don’t like it at all.”

Yesterday, those close to the family said the MK Party (MKP) leader remained in a critical condition at St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg. He was admitted on Tuesday after falling ill during an MKP electioneering drive in uMsinga. The hospital section in which the former president is being treated has been put under lockdown, and only family members and his inner circle have been allowed in and out.

Zuma’s health concerns have sparked widespread anxiety within the MKP, with some leaders voicing concern as to what impact this may have on the party at the polls.

“This comes at a critical time in our campaign,” an MKP leader told the Sunday Times. “As you know, here in eThekwini the MKP is leading. I just hope that uBaba recovers and comes back to lead us. Otherwise I don’t know what would happen.”

Those concerns are justified, according to independent political and elections analyst Wayne Sussman, who said Zuma’s presence was critical for the MKP before and after the elections.

“There are many critical and key events taking place in the country right now that are going to impact the upcoming elections,” Sussman said. “But no event is as significant as the hospitalisation of Jacob Zuma right now. It can have huge ramifications for South Africa and particularly for KwaZulu-Natal.

“The MKP is a party centred around the vision and charisma of Jacob Zuma. I think the party would struggle tremendously if Zuma is incapacitated or is no longer able to lead the party. His son, Duduzane, is the number two in the party. Duduzane has many talents, but he is not Jacob Zuma. I don’t think he has the political experience of JZ. So Zuma’s absence would be a significant challenge for the future of the MKP, especially as they are expected to be the leading party in the eThekwini municipality and many other parts of KZN.

“I wonder how motivated people would be if JZ was no longer seen to be leading the party. In the worst-case scenario, much of that enthusiasm could dissipate, and many supporters would rather stay at home than go back to the ANC or choose the EFF or the IFP.”

I think the party would struggle tremendously if Zuma is incapacitated or is no longer able to lead the party.

MKP spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu undertook to respond to questions from the Sunday Times, but had not done so at the time of publication.

An MKP leader and close comrade of the Zuma family said the former president had been unwell for some time. “He missed two rallies where he was supposed to campaign ahead of the local government elections, but because of illness he could not attend,” the source said.

A prominent MKP leader in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands region said the party was worried. “This matter of President Zuma’s illness and hospitalisation is being handled secretively, even within the MKP. We are in the dark about what is going on,” he said.

Zuma’s recent absence from campaign events has also raised questions among party supporters. On October 3, MKP members in uMhlathuze expressed disappointment after Zuma failed to arrive at a scheduled rally at the Esikhawini College Sports Grounds.

There were reports that Zuma might be flown to the SANDF’s Pretoria military hospital, but the risks of doing so are high, especially if the former president is critically ill.

President Cyril Ramaphosa said on Friday that the SANDF’s surgeon-general had joined a team of specialists and doctors looking after Zuma and that the government was monitoring developments closely.

Khanya Zuma said he last saw his brother about two weeks ago and was increasingly concerned about the amount of time the former president spent travelling and attending political engagements.

“I do tell him this, and he responds by saying, ‘I can’t look back on the decision I made to bring freedom to our people,’” he said.

The brothers live in separate houses at the Nkandla homestead, divided by a fence. Khanya said his brother had entrusted him with handling family matters.

He added that Zuma’s busy schedule affected his rest, with visitors sometimes staying with the former president until 1am or 2am. Even when Zuma returned to Nkandla, Khanya said, he often greeted family members before leaving again to meet people.

Those close to him say Zuma had been actively campaigning in recent days and weeks, including addressing supporters in the Eastern Cape and other provinces, and had been due to address an MKP election rally in KwaDukuza on Thursday.

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