Jacob Zuma health: Mashatile, Ramaphosa wish him speedy recovery

President Cyril Ramaphosa and Deputy President Paul Mashatile have wished former president Jacob Zuma a speedy recovery after he was hospitalised in KwaZulu-Natal earlier this week.

The two leaders spoke out on Friday, 9 October, following conflicting reports about the 84-year-old’s health.

Zuma, who leads the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, reportedly received medical treatment at a private hospital in Pietermaritzburg after campaigning in Msinga on Tuesday.

MASHATILE WISHES ZUMA SPEEDY RECOVERY

Mashatile addressed Zuma’s health while campaigning in Greater Midrand and Ivory Park on Friday.

Speaking on behalf of the Presidency, he wished the former president well and said officials would continue checking on his condition.

“I would like to wish former president Zuma a speedy recovery, as he is in hospital,” Mashatile said.

[WATCH] Deputy President Paul Mashatile wishes former president Jacob Zuma a speedy recovery. Newzroom Afrika's Scara Mafokoane is following Mashatile on the ANC campaign trail in Johannesburg. #Newzroom405 pic.twitter.com/faijdjVKLs

— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 9, 2026

He added that they would continue seeking updates on Zuma’s recovery.

His comments came just a day after the Presidency confirmed that Mashatile had resumed his official duties following his own recovery from illness.

The deputy president returned to work at the beginning of the week after undergoing a minor surgical procedure earlier this year.

RAMAPHOSA CONFIRMS ZUMA IS RECEIVING TREATMENT

Ramaphosa also addressed Zuma’s health on Friday while speaking to journalists in the Free State.

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

He confirmed that the military surgeon general had been briefed about Zuma’s condition.

“We wish him a very quick recovery,” Ramaphosa said, expressing hope that Zuma would recover and continue contributing to South Africa.

[WATCH] President @CyrilRamaphosa responds to questions from members of the media at the conclusion of his visit to Phuthaditjhaba, Free State, following the launch of the Free State Catalytic Investment and Industrialisation Project.

The President wishes former President Jacob… pic.twitter.com/NV2Xs2kLnm

— The Presidency 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) October 9, 2026

The president did not disclose the nature of Zuma’s illness.

MK PARTY INSISTS ZUMA IS HEALTHY

The well-wishes follow The South African’s report on Wednesday that Zuma had been hospitalised after campaigning in KwaZulu-Natal.

However, MK Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu dismissed concerns about his health, maintaining that Zuma had undergone a routine medical check-up.

The party said its leader was healthy and in good spirits.

On Friday, Zuma’s brother, Khanya, also spoke about his concerns over the former president’s condition.

Khanya reportedly said that Zuma had complained about feeling unwell when they last saw each other.

He also said a younger family member had received a more reassuring account from the hospital.

No official diagnosis or discharge date has been publicly confirmed.