Former President Jacob Zuma Reportedly Admitted to KwaZulu-Natal Hospital After Falling Ill

Former President Jacob Zuma Reportedly Admitted to KwaZulu-Natal Hospital After Falling Ill

  • Former State President Jacob Zuma was reportedly taken by ambulance to a KwaZulu-Natal hospital
  • Neither the Jacob Zuma Foundation nor the uMhonto weSizwe Party has officially confirmed the hospitalisation
  • The MK Party leader is currently 84, but continues to attend rallies, dance on stage, and make public statements
Former President Jacob Zuma was reportedly admitted to a hospital
Former President Jacob Zuma was reportedly admitted to a hospital after falling ill. Image: Per-Anders Pettersson
Source: Getty Images

Byron Pillay, a Briefly News journalist, has dedicated a decade to reporting on the South African political landscape, crime, and social issues. He worked as a newspaper journalist for 10 years before transitioning to online.

KWAZULU-NATAL — Former President Jacob Zuma was reportedly hospitalised in KwaZulu-Natal late on Tuesday night, 6 October 2026, after becoming unwell during a public appearance earlier in the day.

According to The Witness, Zuma had attended an event in Msinga, KwaZulu-Natal, before his condition deteriorated. He was subsequently transported by ambulance to a KZN hospital, where an eyewitness confirmed he was admitted.

The nature of his illness has not been disclosed.

Read also

Foreign national arrested after alleged death threat against Jacinta Ngobese-Zuma, SA voices concern

PAY ATTENTION: You can now search for all your favourite news and topics on Briefly News.

Hospitalisation not yet officially confirmed

As of Wednesday, 7 October 2026, neither the Jacob Zuma Foundation nor the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party has issued a public statement confirming or denying the reported admission.

Briefly News reached out to Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi and MK Party National Spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu for comment. No response had been received at the time of publication, and any statement will be updated accordingly.

Zuma, who turned 84 this year, has faced health challenges before, including past surgery and hospitalisation. Despite this, he has remained a prominent and active political figure, continuing to lead the MK Party, attend rallies, and make regular public statements.

Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Byron Pillay avatar

Byron Pillay (Current Affairs Editor) Byron Pillay is a Current Affairs Editor at Briefly News. He received a Diploma in Journalism from the Caxton Cadet School. He spent 15 years covering politics, crime and current affairs. He was also the Head of Department for Sports Brief, where he covered both local and international sporting news. Email: byron.pillay@briefly.co.za