Presidency says Jacob Zuma’s health status must remain private

Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says only the doctors treating former president Jacob Zuma can comment authoritatively on his health following his hospitalisation.

Zuma was admitted to Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, earlier this week after he reportedly fell ill after an uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party event in Msinga.

In South Africa, the sitting president and former heads of state receive medical care through the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) at 1 Military Health Hospital in Pretoria, the country’s administrative capital. However, media reports suggest that the 84-year-old’s condition is critical and that airlifting him to Pretoria has been ruled out.

PRESIDENCY WEIGHS IN ON JACOB ZUMA’S HEALTH

There has been speculation regarding the former President’s health, however, his party maintained that he was admitted for a routine check up he does twice a year. It added that he is well and in good spirits.

Speaking during a media briefing in Pretoria on Sunday, 11 October, Ntshavheni said the MK Party leader was under the care of a surgeon general of the SANDF.

“As part of ethical requirements, it is only his medical doctors that can pronounce on his health status and his condition,” she said.

“So, there’s nobody who must continuously be asking us whether we must comment about his health status. He is being treated by the doctors, and the president has also assigned the Surgeon General to lead that process, and therefore we must leave those questions to the medical team, the family and President Zuma. You should know it’s a violation of privacy. The fact that a person holds a particular position in society does not entitle us to violate his privacy,” Ntshavheni said.

WATCH | Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni says only former President Jacob Zuma’s medical team can disclose details about his health status. pic.twitter.com/yswbKRrRYZ

— SABC News (@SABCNews) October 11, 2026

RAMAPHOSA WISHES HIS PREDECESSOR A SPEEDY RECOVERY

Following reports on Jacob Zuma’s health, President Cyril Ramaphosa wished his predecessor a speedy recovery.

“President Zuma has not been well and he is now being treated by doctors. The surgeon general of our defence force has been well briefed and we wish President Zuma well. We wish him a very quick recovery, we want him to be well and up continuing to serve the people of South Africa in whichever way,” Ramaphosa said.