Pietermaritzburg – Former president Jacob Zuma remains involved in key MK Party decisions despite recently spending several days in hospital, his son Duduzane Zuma has said.
The 84-year-old was recently admitted to a hospital in Pietermaritzburg, raising questions about his health and absence from public appearances. He has since been discharged but has yet to be seen in public.
Speaking to Newsroom Afrika over the weekend, Duduzane said his father had been taking time to rest and attend medical appointments, but remained active in the party’s affairs.
“I can just clear up a misconception there. The president hasn’t been away. He’s taking it easy, getting his medical checkups, which is what we do from time to time,” he said.
“So he may be absent, but he is present in all decision-making capacity where the party is concerned.”
Duduzane’s comments come as the MK Party continues its preparations for the upcoming local government elections, with the party expressing confidence in its electoral prospects.
Duduzane said the party was targeting a two-thirds majority and remained confident it could achieve the result, despite electoral projections suggesting otherwise.
[WATCH] MK Party’s first deputy president Duduzane Zuma says party president Jacob Zuma has not been away but has been taking time to undergo necessary medical check-ups. He insists the former president remains actively involved in all party decision-making despite his absence from public engagements. #Newzroom405
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) October 18, 2026
“The two-thirds majority is not something that we speak of lightly. It’s something that we believe in and something that we have achieved,” he said.
He added that the party was not currently considering coalition arrangements, saying its focus remained on winning enough support to govern independently.
“For now we’re going for the two-thirds. We’re people that live in positivity, and we’re people that live in the present. We’re not entertaining any coalition talks,” he said.
WATCH I Several vehicles believed to be former president Jacob Zuma security entourage were seen leaving the Netcare St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg on Saturday night. Zuma was admitted to the hospital on 6 October. @News24 https://t.co/8umQxvO24h
— Amanda Khoza-Dlamini – The Journalist (@MandaKhoza) October 17, 2026
Duduzane said the party would reassess its position after the election results were known, but insisted it was campaigning for an outright victory.
“What happens after that is a different story. We’ll readjust from there. But for now, two-thirds majority. We’re going all out,” he said.
He added that the party wanted to be in a position to make decisions without relying on other political parties.
The MK Party’s confidence comes amid a competitive political environment ahead of the local government elections, with parties seeking to strengthen their support across the country.
While Duduzane has offered reassurance about his father’s involvement in party affairs, Jacob Zuma has not yet made a public appearance since his hospital discharge.
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Compiled by Glaan Sibuyi
