Jacob Zuma’s Brother Khanya Provides Health Update As Former President Remains in Hospital
- Jacob Zuma's brother Khanya spoke to News24 about the former President's health after he was admitted to a hospital
- A distant relative and party insider both contradicted the uMkhonto weSizwe Party's claim that Zuma was admitted for routine checks
- The former President was reportedly admitted to hospital on 5 October 2026 after a public appearance in Msinga
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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 — Jacob Zuma's brother, Khanya, has shared an update about the former President's health.
Zuma is believed to be receiving care at Netcare St Anne's Hospital, a private medical facility in Pietermaritzburg. The 84-year-old was reportedly admitted to hospital on Monday, 5 October 2026, after a public appearance in Msinga.
The uMkhonto weSizwe Party said at the time that the party leader was undergoing routine medical checkups.
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Khanya provides update on Zuma's health
Speaking to News24, Khanya confirmed that the 84-year-old is ill and hospitalised. He explained that he last saw his brother on a Monday, when Zuma told him he was not feeling well.
"When I last saw him, he said, 'Brother, I am not feeling well.' But you could not tell that he was ill," Khanya told News24.
Despite initially attempting to downplay the severity, Khanya acknowledged that the situation was not straightforward. He said that it was true that the situation was not looking good, but added that a young family member was in contact with the hospital and had been told by doctors that it wasn’t bad.
A source within Zuma's entourage and a relative both told News24 that he is currently in the intensive care unit. A well-placed source also told the publication that government doctors have since taken over his care.
The hospitalisation comes weeks before South Africa's November local government elections, at a moment when the MKP is heavily reliant on Zuma's presence as its founder and public face.
Zuma's grandkids share wholesome video of him
In another article, Zuma's granddaughter recorded a cheeky selfie-style video with him while he relaxed at home in KwaZulu-Natal.
Briefly News reported that she quizzed him on historical figures like Jan van Riebeeck before proudly calling him her grandfather.
The wholesome clip quickly won over South Africans, with many calling Zuma the best grandfather and president the country has ever had.
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Source: Briefly News
