South African Presidency urges respect for Jacob Zuma's medical privacy

South Africa's Presidency said only Jacob Zuma's doctors may disclose details of his health, with his consent. Minister Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said President Cyril Ramaphosa had assigned the surgeon-general to oversee the former president's care.

Ntshavheni spoke at a Pretoria briefing on October 11. She confirmed that Zuma was receiving medical attention but did not provide a diagnosis or details of his condition.

The minister said having held the presidency does not remove a person's right to medical confidentiality. She urged that questions about Zuma's condition be left to his doctors, his family and Zuma himself.

Her comments came amid speculation about the former president's health. SABC and TimesLIVE separately reported Ntshavheni's position. She did not disclose information establishing the illness involved or the outlook for his treatment.