The cancellation of the uMkhonto weSizwe Party’s (MKP) Siyathatha Rally – where it was meant to launch its local government election manifesto – has fuelled fresh speculation that former president Jacob Zuma’s health is deteriorating.
The rally had been scheduled for Sunday, but the party has now called it off, saying it will shift focus to ward-level engagements while its manifesto will instead be circulated electronically to structures on Thursday.
The cancellation comes as Zuma, 84, remains in hospital at Pietermaritzburg hospital.
He was taken there by ambulance last week.
Sources close to the MK Party leader have told us his health has deteriorated significantly and is at a “very concerning stage”. This is a far cry from the party’s initial line that he was in for a routine health check and was “healthy and in good spirits”.
The secrecy has made things worse. Over the weekend reports claimed Zuma had been discharged and was on his way back to Nkandla. The reports spread like wildfire among supporters.
The Jacob Zuma Foundation has now poured cold water on that.
“Reports that H.E. President Zuma has been discharged are not true,” foundation spokesperson Mzwanele Manyi said.
Manyi has been forced to deny the discharge reports twice in three days, as speculation dominated headlines last week that Zuma was critical.
Earlier this week Manyi hit back at the media, accusing it of fuelling a frenzy.
“When it comes to H.E. President Zuma, the media appears unable to resist turning every development into a matter of intense national speculation. One is left wondering: Is this really about concern for his health, or is there something else driving this disproportionate level of interest?” Manyi said.
He also questioned President Cyril Ramaphosa’s concern for Zuma’s well-being.
But inside the MK Party, insiders say the foundation’s denials are not calming nerves. They say there is too much secrecy in Zuma’s inner circle.
“There is a lot of secrecy inside Zuma’s circle. Only a few people know what is really happening. Even senior leaders are kept in the dark. If he was fine, why cancel Siyathatha?” one senior leader said.
Another insider said structures had already booked buses and were told at the last minute the rally was off.
The party is already dealing with anger over discrepancies in its final councillor candidate list. Members have complained that names were removed and replaced. The party now says an urgent independent investigation will be conducted.