Durban – The Jacob Zuma Foundation has criticised what it describes as a “media frenzy” surrounding former president Jacob Zuma’s health, urging journalists and the public to respect his privacy as conflicting reports emerge about his condition.
In a statement posted on X, foundation spokesperson Mzwandile Manyi accused the media of fuelling speculation and treating Zuma’s health differently from that of other political leaders.
“When the country’s current Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, was reportedly unwell for approximately two months, we did not witness this kind of media frenzy,” said Manyi.
“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. One is left wondering: Is this really about concern for his health, or is there something else driving this disproportionate level of interest?
When the country’s current Deputy President, Paul Mashatile, was reportedly unwell for approximately two months, we did not witness this kind of media frenzy.
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.
One is left wondering: Is this really about concern for his health, or is there something else driving this disproportionate level of interest?
The media has a legitimate role to play in keeping the public informed. However, there is a difference between responsible reporting and coverage that fuels anxiety, encourages speculation and creates 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.
The question is simple: Why does the media apply such different standards, and who benefits from turning President Zuma’s health into a national spectacle?
South Africans deserve responsible journalism, not a constant cycle of speculation and alarm.
Let President Zuma recover in privacy and dignity.
@XoliMngambi— Mzwanele Manyi MP (@MzwaneleManyi) October 11, 2026
He added that Zuma deserved “the same dignity, privacy and consideration that should be afforded to any person facing a health challenge”.
“The media has a legitimate role to play in keeping the public informed. However, there is a difference between responsible reporting and coverage that fuels anxiety, encourages speculation and creates 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.”
The 84-year-old uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party leader has reportedly been receiving treatment at Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, after arriving by ambulance last week.
However, his precise condition has not been officially disclosed, reported The Citizen.
According to Eyewitness News (EWN), Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni has also called for restraint, saying Zuma’s health should be discussed by his doctors and family rather than becoming a subject of public speculation.
“The fact that a person holds a particular position in society does not entitle us to violate his privacy,” Ntshavheni said.
Wider political discussion
The reports have emerged amid conflicting accounts from Zuma’s political representatives. The MK Party initially described his hospital visit as a routine medical check-up, saying he was “healthy and in good spirits”.
However, The Witness reported that Zuma remained in hospital despite the denials, citing eyewitness accounts and sources at the facility. The newspaper also reported claims that he had been admitted to intensive care, although his condition and the reported arrangements for a possible transfer to a military hospital have not been officially confirmed.
President Cyril Ramaphosa has wished Zuma a speedy recovery, while the surgeon-general of the South African National Defence Force has been assigned to oversee his care.
The Foundation has also called on Ramaphosa’s administration to demonstrate its commitment to the former president’s dignity through practical measures, including maintaining his Nkandla homestead and replacing his ageing vehicle fleet.
The growing uncertainty has prompted wider political discussion, including reports of possible military contingency planning in KwaZulu-Natal should Zuma die. However, the South African National Defence Force has not confirmed that such planning is linked to his health.
Zuma’s condition remains unclear, with authorities and his representatives urging the public to rely on verified information rather than speculation.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
