Former president and MK Party leader Jacob Zuma's hospital stay has produced conflicting accounts, just over three weeks before the 4 November local government elections.
The party says the 84-year-old went for a routine medical check-up and is well. His brother says he is ill and in hospital. Zuma's medical records are confidential, and neither the party nor his family has released a full statement on his condition.
What we know
Zuma was taken to hospital in KwaZulu-Natal after an MK rally in Msinga last week. An independent source told one report he was rushed to a private hospital in Msinga on Monday. Another report said he arrived by ambulance and was admitted on Tuesday, according to an eyewitness and a party insider. The reports differ on the day and place.
President Cyril Ramaphosa told reporters Zuma had been "unwell" and was receiving medical treatment, and wished him a speedy recovery.
Zuma's representatives say his medical care is coordinated through the SANDF Military Health Service and that recent visits are handled privately by his medical team, family and military health officials.
Conflicting accounts
The party's version. MK spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said on Wednesday that Zuma had been discharged and was at his Nkandla homestead. He said Zuma has routine check-ups at least twice a year, including blood tests, and that people saw his convoy and assumed he was in hospital. "Well, he was but he is fine," he said. "The president is not unwell. He is very much well and alive; it was a regular check-up." Party officials earlier said he was "in good spirits".
The family's version. On Friday, Zuma's brother, Khanya Zuma, said Zuma was ill and in hospital, believed to be a private facility in Pietermaritzburg. He quoted Zuma telling him on Monday: "Brother, I am not feeling well." He first played down the situation and then said it was not looking good. According to the report, a young relative in contact with the hospital was told by doctors it "wasn't bad".
Unconfirmed claims. The same report cites unnamed sources saying Zuma is in intensive care and that government doctors have taken over his care. We have not been able to confirm either claim, and neither the party nor the hospital has commented on them. One weekly political calendar also says the family declined an airlift to a military hospital in Pretoria and that government sent a specialist team to KwaZulu-Natal. That is a single source.
The contradiction between "discharged and fine" and "ill and in hospital" has not been resolved by any statement we have seen.
What it means for the campaign
The MK Party relies heavily on Zuma as its founder and public face, and reports note that a prolonged health problem could affect its momentum and mobilisation.
Two events are on the calendar. The party is expected to hold its manifesto launch in Mbombela, with Zuma expected to play a prominent role in preparations, though no date was given in the coverage we reviewed. A gathering in the Mtooba area is planned for 18 October, and it is unclear whether he will attend. The party has not confirmed whether he can attend upcoming engagements.
We will update this story when the party or the family releases a fuller statement.
