Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has urged the public to respect former president Jacob Zuma’s privacy and refrain from demanding details about his hospitalisation, saying only his medical team could provide information about his condition with his consent.
Ntshavheni was speaking to the media on Sunday during a briefing by the inter-ministerial committee on migration.
“I need to indicate the health status of Baba Zuma. He’s under the care of the surgeon-general (of the SANDF), and you know the ethical requirements,” she said.
“It’s only his medical doctors that can pronounce on his health status and health conditions with his consent.”
She said President Cyril Ramaphosa had assigned the surgeon-general to oversee Zuma’s treatment and urged the public to leave questions about his condition to the medical team and his family.
“The fact that a person holds a particular position in society does not entitle us to violate his privacy,” Ntshavheni said.
Zuma receiving specialist care in KZN
Zuma, 84, was admitted to Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg on October 7 and remained under the care of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) surgeon-general and his team on Saturday.
News24 reported that Zuma’s family had reportedly declined to have him transferred to 1 Military Hospital in Pretoria, preferring that he remain in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN).
Presidents, deputy presidents and their immediate families are generally entitled to medical services provided through the surgeon-general and the South African Military Health Services.
According to a News24 report, concerns about moving Zuma to Gauteng were linked to the family’s strained relationship with Ramaphosa.
The publication reported that a transfer was considered too risky given his condition.
The government subsequently dispatched a team of specialist doctors, including a resuscitation expert, to KZN on October 9 to provide treatment.
A source cited by News24 said the government was reluctant to act against the family’s wishes for fear of being blamed if Zuma’s condition deteriorated.
Initial reports described Zuma as critically ill, but reports on Friday indicated that his condition had stabilised.
Neither the Presidency nor the family had issued a detailed public update.
MK Party condemns speculation
The hospitalisation has prompted speculation about Zuma’s health, including reports linking his condition or possible death to a potential military deployment and unrest in KZN.
The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party in the province has condemned the reports, questioning their sourcing, verification and public-interest justification.
Mkhuseli Mlengane, the party’s KZN provincial elections spokesperson, said the reports risked causing unnecessary anxiety and fuelling political uncertainty.
He said the party’s national office had indicated that Zuma was in good spirits and that his campaign would continue on Friday.
Mlengane said claims linking a possible military deployment to Zuma’s health or death should be supported by credible, verifiable evidence and presented in context.
While acknowledging the importance of media freedom and accountability, he said journalists had a responsibility to uphold accuracy, fairness and professional standards.
He said the party is considering approaching the relevant regulatory and oversight authorities to seek an examination of the reporting and any potential breaches of journalistic standards.
Mlengane urged party members and supporters to remain calm and avoid circulating unverified information, particularly given KZN’s history of political instability and violence.
Ramaphosa wishes Zuma a speedy recovery
Ramaphosa addressed Zuma’s health on Friday, confirming that the former president had been unwell and was receiving medical treatment.
“He has been put under treatment by doctors. The surgeon-general of our defence force has been well briefed,” Ramaphosa said.
“We wish President Zuma well. 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,” Ramaphosa said.
simon.majadibodu@iol.co.za
IOL Politics
