Former South African president Jacob Zuma has been admitted to hospital, according to reports. It is unclear what he has been admitted for, however, News24 reports that the Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that he has been taken to a hospital outside of Estcourt Correctional services where has been imprisoned for his contempt of court charge.
- The Department of Correctional Services has confirmed that former president Jacob Zuma has been hospitalised
- Zuma has been taken to a hospital outside of the Estcoyrt Correctional Centre where he was being held
- Zuma's family, through the JG Zuma Foundation, have previously expressed concern about the impact prison would have on Zuma's health
The department has so far said that he has been taken in for medical observation and Zuma's health will be under the care of the South African Military Health Services.
Zuma's family has concerns about his health while in prison Zuma's family has previously expressed their concerns about the former president's health. According to IOL, the JG Zuma Foundation had stated that they were worried about his health since his imprisonment.
Mzwanele Manyi, a spokesperson for the foundation, said the cold weather in Estcourt was not conducive to the health of a 79-year-old man being held in a frigid cell. “We are very worried that Zuma’s health will deteriorate at a rapid rate and we are scared to think what's going to happen with his health," said Manyi.
Manyi added that the former president has many health ailments and comorbidities and that Zuma's imprisonment will affect him mentally and physically.
