By Simon Nare
Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi has urged the media to respect the former president’s privacy as he remains hospitalised at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg more than a week after his admission.
Zuma was admitted to the private hospital on October 6 after falling ill during a campaign activity in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal. His medical condition has not been publicly disclosed, fuelling speculation about his health.
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In a brief statement on Wednesday, Manyi said the foundation could not provide continuous updates on Zuma’s condition.
“Dear media, you are requested to afford President Zuma PRIVACY and DIGNITY he deserves. The permanent enquiries are not appreciated. We see it as PERSECUTION & INVASION of privacy,” he said.
On Tuesday, Manyi dismissed reports that Zuma had been discharged, insisting that the former president remained in hospital receiving medical attention.
“Dear Media, Reports that H.E President Zuma has been discharged are NOT true,” he said.
Responding to a follower on X about conflicting reports, Manyi said Zuma was recovering well and urged the public to rely on official statements from the foundation.
“H.E President Zuma is recovering very well in hospital. Whenever in doubt, take what the Foundation Spokesperson says. We don’t work with faceless sources,” he wrote.
Zuma’s medical condition has not been disclosed since his admission. His party, uMkhonto weSizwe (MK), initially said he had undergone a routine medical check-up and was in good health.
Manyi earlier criticised the media’s coverage of Zuma’s hospitalisation, accusing journalists of turning it into a “media frenzy” and treating developments in his recovery as matters of intense national speculation.
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He cited reports that Deputy President Paul Mashatile had been unwell for about two months, arguing that his condition had not attracted the same level of media scrutiny.
“There was no apparent minute-by-minute demand for updates, nor did we see the same intensity of media attention surrounding his recovery. Yet, when it comes to H.E. President Zuma, the media appears unable to resist turning every development into a matter of intense national speculation,” Manyi said.
He questioned whether the coverage reflected genuine concern for Zuma’s health or an ulterior motive, while acknowledging the media’s role in keeping the public informed.
Manyi said the reporting risked fuelling anxiety, encouraging speculation and causing unnecessary public panic.
“President Zuma deserves the same dignity, privacy and consideration that should be afforded to any person facing a health challenge. His health should not become an opportunity for sensationalism.
“South Africans deserve responsible journalism, not a constant cycle of speculation and alarm. Let President Zuma recover in privacy and dignity.”
