Jacob Zuma not hospitalised from COVID-19, family says

The family of former president Jacob Zuma has dismissed reports claiming that he is in hospital after contracting COVID-19.

Sunday World reported on Tuesday, 29 December 2020 that Zuma and his wife Gertrude Sizakele Khumalo, also known as Sizakele MaKhumalo Zuma, the former first lady, had tested positive for the virus.

The tabloid claimed that the couple had been subsequently admitted to a hospital in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal for treatment, all based on an alleged source.

“It is unknown at this stage how severe the health complications of the couple are, as a result of the positive COVID-19 test,” the report said.

Given the former president’s well-documented health problems (having sought treatment in Cuba for an unknown ailment) and his advanced age, concerns would have been raised about his vulnerability to the respiratory illness.

Zuma is ‘well and in good spirits’ – son

However, Zuma’s son Edward has denied the claim and insists that his father is in good health.

“We wish to inform the South African public about the health condition of former president Jacob G Zuma,” he said in a short statement.

“The former president is well and currently enjoying his festive season with family, and is at home adhering to all regulations announced in March this year. Former president Zuma is well and in good spirits.”

The young Zuma however did not give any word on the condition of his stepmother, which could leave room for speculation.

All this comes just days after Zuma’s successor President Cyril Ramaphosa moved the country to Level 3 of the lockdown – a decision which was undoubtedly spurred by the second wave of COVID-19 infections. South Africa has already picked up well over a million cases since the first was detected back in March.

In light of this, Edward Zuma has urged South Africans to continue exercising the necessary COVID-19 preventative measures and adhere to the lockdown restrictions.

“We wish to request all South Africans to adhere to and respect all regulations our government has put in place, as the former president has been doing since the start of the pandemic,” he said.

“May all compatriots enjoy the rest of the festive season and stay safe, sanitise and wear their masks as it is compulsory.”