Jacob Zuma cleared as healthy after medical check-up as MK party campaign continues

Former president Jacob Zuma has been given a clean bill of health after undergoing a routine medical check-up, with the MK party saying he remains fit to continue his political activities ahead of the local government elections.

The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) party confirmed that Zuma completed the medical examination on Wednesday, 7 October 2026.

The announcement comes as the 84-year-old continues to play a prominent role in the party’s political campaign, despite years of speculation and public scrutiny surrounding his health.

MK party confirms Zuma is well

MK party spokesperson Sifiso Mahlangu said Zuma undergoes a full medical check-up twice a year.

According to Mahlangu, there was no cause for concern following the latest examination.

“The president gets a full routine check-up twice a year. We hereby confirm that he is healthy and in good spirits. His campaign programme will continue accordingly.”

The party did not disclose details of the examination.

Mahlangu also did not comment on reports about Zuma’s reported arrival at hospital, leaving questions around the circumstances of his hospital visit unanswered.

For now, the party’s position is that Zuma is well enough to continue with his scheduled political programme.

Zuma’s health has been under scrutiny before

The former president’s health has attracted attention on several occasions over the years.

In 2023, Zuma travelled to Moscow, Russia, for medical treatment linked to an undisclosed illness. At the time, his foundation confirmed that he had left South Africa but declined to provide information about his condition, citing doctor-patient confidentiality.

His health has also featured in the legal battles surrounding his imprisonment and subsequent medical parole.

Medical parole dispute returns to the spotlight

The latest confirmation comes shortly after another chapter in Zuma’s long-running legal saga.

The Constitutional Court dismissed an application by the Department of Correctional Services to appeal a ruling concerning the medical parole decision that allowed Zuma to leave prison.

The court found that the appeal had no reasonable prospects of success and dismissed it with costs.

The matter stems from former Correctional Services commissioner Arthur Fraser’s decision to grant Zuma medical parole, which was later found to have been unlawful.

Zuma continues to lead from the front

Despite his age and ongoing legal battles, Zuma has remained highly visible within the MK party.

The former president has continued to campaign and address party supporters as the organisation prepares for the local government elections.

During an MK party combatants assembly in Richmond in KwaZulu-Natal’s Moses Mabhida region, Zuma also used the event to demonstrate that he remains physically active.

Speaking to veterans, Zuma emphasised the importance of having people who are physically capable, telling supporters that he wanted “fit” people rather than “weak” ones.

He then showed the crowd that he could still run, drawing applause from those gathered.

With the MK party preparing for another major election campaign, its latest health update suggests Zuma intends to remain at the centre of its political activities.

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Source: The Citizen