Former president Jacob Zuma has been discharged from hospital after being admitted last week, according to a report by BusinessTech.
Zuma, who currently leads the uMkhonto weSizwe Party (MKP), was reportedly discharged from a hospital in Pietermaritzburg on Monday night.
Zuma Admitted For Medical Check-Up
According to BusinessTech, Zuma was taken to hospital by ambulance on 6 October.
The MK Party said at the time that the former president had been admitted for a routine medical check-up.
No further details about the reason for the check-up or Zuma’s condition were provided in the report.
BusinessTech, citing eNCA, reported that Zuma was discharged from the Pietermaritzburg hospital on Monday night.
His hospital admission came just weeks before South Africans are expected to head to the polls for the municipal elections on 4 November.
Questions Over Zuma’s Election Campaign
Zuma’s hospital stay has raised questions over how involved he will be in the MK Party’s campaigning ahead of the elections.
However, no announcement has been made in the BusinessTech report about changes to Zuma’s campaign schedule following his discharge.
The MK Party will be looking to build on the support it secured during South Africa’s 2024 general elections.
Zuma previously led the African National Congress before later becoming the leader of the MK Party.
MK Party Looks To Build On 2024 Support
The 2024 national elections marked a major shift in South African politics, with the ANC losing its outright parliamentary majority for the first time since the end of apartheid.
According to BusinessTech, the governing party’s support was affected by voter frustration over unemployment and poor public service delivery.
The MK Party made significant gains during that election, particularly among voters who had previously supported the ANC.
Zuma’s discharge now comes as political parties continue preparations for the upcoming municipal elections.
BusinessTech reported the former president’s discharge on 13 October, following his hospital admission a week earlier.
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