Lungani Zungu
As Jacob Zuma remains in a military hospital, his wife of close to five decades, Sizakele, is also not well.
The 81-year-old Zuma’s wife, usually referred to by her maiden name of maKhumalo, had been frail for some time. But the arrest of Zuma last month made her health worse.
“She is not well at all. But we hope that she bounces back,” Zuma’s brother Khanya told Scrolla.Africa.
He wouldn’t say what maKhumalo suffers from.
On Thursday, Zuma’s supporters gathered outside his Nkandla homestead to pray for his recovery.
They chanted struggle and gospel songs inside a tent erected near the entrance to Zuma’s compound – which cost the taxpayer R246 million.
Zuma’s backer, bishop-cum-politician Vusi Dube, was among the people attending the prayer service.
One of Zuma’s neighbours, who did not want to be named, spotted an ambulance at the Nkandla homestead earlier this week. He was told maKhaumalo was being treated.
“We hope she gets well soon. No house must have both the father and eldest wife who are not well,” said the neighbour.
When Zuma drove out of the Nkandla house last month to the Escourt prison, maKhumalo fainted inside.
“From that day, she has never been well,” said Khanya.
Earlier this week, Zuma’s lawyer Advocate Dali Mpofu told the Pietermaritzburg High court that he needed extensive emergency treatment after suffering a “traumatic injury” last year.
While he stressed that Zuma was not fit to appear in court, Mpofu did not disclose Zuma’s condition. Even close allies appear to be in the dark.
Zuma was sentenced to 15 months in prison after he defied two court orders telling him to appear at the state capture commission.
Image source: Briefly
