PRETORIA — The Department of Corrections said Friday that former President Jacob Zuma was admitted to an outside hospital for medical observation.
Zuma, who was sentenced last month to 15 months in prison for contempt of court, has been receiving medical treatment from South African military health service personnel since his incarceration at Estcourt Correctional Centre.
“The routine observation led to Mr. Zuma’s hospitalization,” spokesman Singabakho Nxumalo said.
The JGZ Foundation, which speaks on behalf of the former president and his family, played down Zuma’s time from prison to hospital.
In a brief statement posted on its social media page, the foundation said Zuma, 79, is “attending his annual routine medical checkup. Nothing to worry about…at this time.
Zuma began serving his sentence on July 8 by order of the Constitutional Court after repeatedly refusing calls to appear before the State Arrests Investigation Board.
He is categorized as “low risk short term inmate”.
Two weeks ago, he joined his family for his brother Michael’s funeral in Nkandla after being granted compassionate leave.
When asked how Zuma was doing in prison, his son Edward said at the time that while his father was unhappy with some things, he was fine.
“He’s in the best of spirits.”
