The Jacob G Zuma Foundation has demanded media privacy for former president Jacob Zuma, describing relentless enquiries about his hospital stay as “persecution” and an “invasion of privacy.”

In a statement addressed to the media, Mzwanele Manyi said the Foundation would not be providing minute-by-minute updates on Zuma.

“You are requested to afford President Zuma privacy and dignity he deserves. The permanent enquiries are not appreciated. We see it as persecution and invasion of privacy,” the statement read.

The former president Jacob has been not been discharged from hospital according to a statement from his family foundation, contradicting an earlier news report that he’d been discharged.

The Jacob G Zuma Foundation reportedly clarified the confusion via text message after broadcaster eNCA reported that he was discharged on Monday night from a hospital in Pietermaritzburg in the southeast of the country, according to MoneyWeb. 

Taken to hospital

The 84-year-old MK Party leader was reportedly taken to hospital last Tuesday after becoming unwell during a campaign event in KwaZulu-Natal.

However, the party insists he simply attended a routine medical check-up and is in good health. According to reports from eNCA and The Witness, Zuma arrived at a Pietermaritzburg hospital by ambulance after the rally. 

Independent sources told media outlets he was admitted to a private facility following the incident.

The MK Party released a statement last Wednesday saying Zuma had attended his twice-yearly routine medical check-up and was “healthy and in good spirits”.

Party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu told News24 that Zuma was “as fit as a fiddle” and had returned home to his family.

Election campaign

Mahlangu also said at the time the former president’s election campaign would continue as planned.

However, Zuma’s brother Khanya painted a different picture on Thursday night, telling News24 that his brother was unwell and remained in hospital.

“It’s not looking good,” he said, adding that the family was praying for his recovery.

A confidant close to Zuma also previously told News24 that the former president had “been sick these days” and was still hospitalised on Thursday.

Neither the MK Party nor the family has released details about any diagnosis or treatment. Business Day reported that Zuma’s medical care is typically handled privately through his family, medical team and the South African National Defence Force’s Military Health Service.

Currently there are no new updates on Zuma’s health condition.

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