JG Zuma Foundation Slams Persistent Media Enquiries About Jacob Zuma’s Health and Demands Privacy

JG Zuma Foundation Slams Persistent Media Enquiries About Jacob Zuma’s Health and Demands Privacy

  • The JG Zuma Foundation has issued a public statement as questions remain regarding Jacob Zuma's health
  • The statement follows weeks of conflicting reports and social media speculation about Zuma's condition
  • Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi described the persistent media enquiries as an invasion of privacy
Former State President, Jacob Zuma
The JG Zuma Foundation released a statement about Jacob Zuma’s health. Image: Michele Spatari
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 — The JG Zuma Foundation has publicly warned media organisations to stop demanding regular updates on former President Jacob Zuma's health, calling the ongoing enquiries an intrusion on his privacy and dignity.

The statement, issued by Foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi and posted on X on 14 October 2026, was addressed directly to the media. It stated that the Foundation had no intention of providing moment-to-moment briefings on Zuma's condition and called on journalists to exercise restraint.

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Conflicting reports have surfaced since Zuma's hospitalisation

Zuma, who also leads the uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party, was admitted to hospital in early October 2026. His hospitalisation attracted immediate and sustained public attention, with widespread speculation circulating on social media about the severity of his condition.

The MK Party claimed that it was a routine check-up, but other sources claimed that the former President was in a critical condition.

The situation became further complicated when some media outlets reported that Zuma had been discharged, only for the Foundation to deny those claims and confirm he remained under medical care.

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.

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Former President and MK Party leader Jacob Zuma discharged from hospital after recent admission

The wholesome clip quickly won over South Africans, with many calling Zuma the best grandfather and president the country has ever had.

Source: Briefly News

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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