The MK Party has downplayed concerns over the health of its leader, former President Jacob Zuma, following a News24 report that he “collapsed.”
The publication cited anonymous sources on Wednesday (24 April) who claimed that “fatigue and low blood pressure” had caused the alleged health incident. He reportedly suspended campaign activities scheduled for Wednesday as a result.
Jacob Zuma health concerns
“He is fine now. He fell on Wednesday in Umhlanga, and the doctors said it was fatigue,” one source told News24, while another said Zuma experienced another “dizzy spell” over the weekend.
“He was a bit dizzy, that’s all. He fell here at home in KwaDakwadunuse and it was frightening because he is quite strong, but he is fine now,” the source reportedly said.
The MK Party leader, who is 82 years old, failed to attend a campaign rally scheduled for Saturday (20 April) at the Ibisi Sports Ground in the Harry Gwala district.
Although he often attends his court cases or those of his party, he was a no-show on Monday when the Durban high court dismissed the ANC’s uMkhonto weSizwe trademark case against MK Party.
According to MK Party’s Facebook page, Zuma last attended a party activity on 16 April when he met its convenors and coordinators at the Royal Hotel in Durban. On Thursday (25 April), the party is set to unveil its “magical spear” at his residence in Nkandla.
Asked about the ex-President’s health, MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela insisted that Zuma is fine. “There are no concerns. What we always do before a blitz, where he is going to be travelling a lot, is that he normally rests for a couple of days,” he said.
Zuma’s daughter, Duduzile Zuma-Sambudla, also appeared to respond to the concerns in a post on X on Wednesday. “President Zuma is in high spirits because tomorrow he be unveiling the national gig rig eNkandla,” she wrote.