'Zuma's health is fine'

PLAYING down President Jacob Zuma's health and reported heart problems, his spokesman, Mac Maharaj has said he is "fine".

The Sunday Times yesterday reported Zuma had heart problems, diabetes and high blood pressure, which had caused his brief hospitalisation two weeks ago.

Zuma, 72, spent two days in hospital for what his office said were "routine health checks". He handed over the reins to his deputy, Cyril Ramaphosa, to recover from the rigours of preparing for the election.

Maharaj said he would not be "engaged on rumours" about the health of the president. "The president is fine, attending to his duties and his doctors say there's no cause for concern about his condition."

Zuma is due to travel to the Equatorial Guinea capital of Malabo this week for an African Union meeting. In his first public appearance after almost two weeks last Tuesday when he delivered the state of the nation address, he looked frail and appeared to have lost weight.

Worries about his health have raised speculation he might not see out his second five-year term. – Reuters