Jacob Zuma back in Nkandla on birthday after health scare
Zuma did not appear at his corruption trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday due to ill health
12 April 2022 - 16:28
byAmanda Khoza
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Former president Jacob Zuma. File picture: SANDILE NDLOVU
Former president Jacob Zuma is spending the rest of his 80th birthday on Tuesday afternoon at his Nkandla homestead in KwaZulu-Natal, after a minor health scare.
TimesLIVE understands Zuma had to be rushed to a Durban hospital two days before his birthday after he suddenly fell ill.
“He was rushed to a Durban hospital at around 1pm on Sunday after his blood levels [sic] suddenly shot up. We don’t know why but he is stable now,” said a source close to Zuma, who asked not to be named.
Zuma was a no-show during his corruption trial proceedings in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday due to ill health.
TimesLIVE reported that Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi told journalists: “From yesterday [Sunday] there was a health issue with the president, but we thought when we wake up today all will be resolved. However, as things stand now, the doctor has said it is not advisable for him to be here.”
The former president, who is on medical parole, was due to stand trial for corruption and fraud charges relating to the 1999 arms deal. His co-accused is Thales, a French arms company.
The ANC has wished Zuma, who shares a birthday with public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan, well on his special day.
“We wish President Zuma long life, strength and good health. Continue serving our people with diligence, dedication and commitment,” said the party.
Zuma's foundation said in a statement it wished him a speedy recovery and hoped that “despite his ill-health, doctors will allow him some time to spend at home with his family”.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Jacob Zuma back in Nkandla on birthday after health scare
Zuma did not appear at his corruption trial in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday due to ill health
Former president Jacob Zuma is spending the rest of his 80th birthday on Tuesday afternoon at his Nkandla homestead in KwaZulu-Natal, after a minor health scare.
TimesLIVE understands Zuma had to be rushed to a Durban hospital two days before his birthday after he suddenly fell ill.
“He was rushed to a Durban hospital at around 1pm on Sunday after his blood levels [sic] suddenly shot up. We don’t know why but he is stable now,” said a source close to Zuma, who asked not to be named.
Zuma was a no-show during his corruption trial proceedings in the Pietermaritzburg High Court on Monday due to ill health.
TimesLIVE reported that Jacob Zuma Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi told journalists: “From yesterday [Sunday] there was a health issue with the president, but we thought when we wake up today all will be resolved. However, as things stand now, the doctor has said it is not advisable for him to be here.”
The former president, who is on medical parole, was due to stand trial for corruption and fraud charges relating to the 1999 arms deal. His co-accused is Thales, a French arms company.
The ANC has wished Zuma, who shares a birthday with public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan, well on his special day.
“We wish President Zuma long life, strength and good health. Continue serving our people with diligence, dedication and commitment,” said the party.
Zuma's foundation said in a statement it wished him a speedy recovery and hoped that “despite his ill-health, doctors will allow him some time to spend at home with his family”.
TimesLIVE
Jacob Zuma plans new bid against prosecutor Billy Downer
Another postponement gives Jacob Zuma a birthday away from court and his corruption trial
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Dudu Myeni tries to assault TimesLIVE photographer Sandile Ndlovu
TOM EATON: With Queen Zandile back, maybe it is time for our own Putin
ANC in eThekwini votes in corruption-accused Zandile Gumede
Batohi promises NPA will land major cases within six months
Ramaphosa camp presses case for bar on criminally charged ANC members
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.