Ramaphosa: Jacob Zuma not Well, Undergoing Treatment in Hospital
Last update: October 10, 2026
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One minute he was on the campaign trail in rural KwaZulu-Natal; the next he was in an ambulance to hospital. At 84, Jacob Zuma is back in the headlines – not for politics this time, but for his health.
What Happened?
In a rare moment of unity, President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed on Friday what the rumour mill had been spinning all week: his predecessor, former President Jacob Zuma, is under medical treatment.
Speaking to reporters in comments carried by national broadcaster SABC, Ramaphosa said: “President Jacob Zuma has not been well, and he has now been put under treatment by doctors.” He added that the military surgeon general had been briefed and offered well-wishes: “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.”
The messaging has been messy. Several outlets reported a dramatic hospitalisation, while his party, the MKP, insisted it was nothing to worry about.
In a statement, MKP said Zuma was undergoing a “routine check-up” – something he does twice a year – and moved to calm supporters: “We hereby confirm that he is healthy and in good spirits”. Spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu even described him as “fit as a fiddle” and said his campaign would continue on Friday.
Why This is Bigger Than a Hospital Visit?
You cannot tell the story of modern South Africa without Zuma.
Born on 12 April 1942 in Nkandla, Zuma spent 10 years on Robben Island alongside Nelson Mandela as a key figure in the fight against apartheid. He rose through the ANC to become its president in 2007 and served as President of the Republic from 2009 to 2018.
His presidency was bookended by controversy. From the Nkandla homestead upgrades to the sprawling State Capture inquiry, a series of corruption scandals eventually forced the ANC to recall him in February 2018, paving the way for Ramaphosa to take over.
Many thought that was the end. It wasn’t.
After a 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court in 2021 that sparked the worst unrest in post-apartheid South Africa, and after being expelled from the ANC, Zuma staged one of the most stunning comebacks in South African politics. He launched the MK Party in late 2023 – just months before the vote – and in the May 2024 general election, MK came third nationally, winning 58 seats and gutting the ANC’s majority in KwaZulu-Natal. He built the party’s entire identity around himself.
At 84, he remains its campaigner-in-chief.
Forget the political rival for a second. This is about an elderly statesman who has lived an extraordinary, exhausting life.
His brother, Khanya Zuma, has provided quiet updates to family while supporters gather outside the hospital. Eyewitnesses in Msinga said he looked frail before he was taken away. For his supporters in KZN, who call him “Nxamalala”, this feels deeply personal – he is not just a former president; he is their patriarch.
And for Ramaphosa, his old comrade-turned-rival, the moment required grace. Despite everything – the commissions, the court battles, the political scalping in 2024 – his message was simply human: get well soon.
Why It Matters?
Why should we care about one hospital admission?
1. Political stability: The MK Party is heavily centred on one man. As one analysis noted, Zuma’s possible absence could reshape South Africa’s political landscape.
2. The 2026 municipal elections: South Africa heads to local government elections soon. MK is hoping to convert its 2024 momentum into control of KZN municipalities. Zuma is their biggest drawcard on the ground.
3. Succession questions: At 84, questions about health, succession and the future of MK beyond Zuma are no longer theoretical.
Routine Check-up or Serious Concern?
So, which is it?
In South Africa, former presidents receive care through the South African Military Health Service, which is why the surgeon general was briefed. “Under medical treatment” is official language that means doctors are actively managing a condition – it is more than observation.
MKP says he goes for a full medical twice a year and this is scheduled. Other sources close to the hospital have described his condition as at a “very concerning stage”. The truth is likely in the middle: a man of 84 with a demanding campaign schedule needing more than just a routine check.
What Next?
* Next 48 hours: We await a formal medical bulletin. The MK Party says Zuma’s campaign will resume on Friday, suggesting they expect a quick discharge.
* Next week: Watch for whether he appears at upcoming MK municipal election rallies in northern KZN.
* Longer term: Expect renewed debate inside MK about leadership depth and whether the party can survive without its founder at the helm.
For now, South Africa – from Luthuli House to Nkandla – is wishing the old man well.
Source: cbinews.tv.
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