Foundation sticks by sick note from the military health service

THE Jacob Zuma Foundation remains adamant that the former president does not wish to be examined by medical doctors appointed by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and that they are prepared to uphold their argument in court.

The foundation’s spokesperson, Mzwanele Manyi, said the medical note from the military health services – which has been treating Zuma since 1999 when he became deputy president – was filed with the NPA on Friday, and would be used as part of their submissions before a judge.

The organisation’s stance comes after it emerged this week that Zuma had refused to be assessed by a doctor assigned by the NPA to verify whether he was or was not fit to stand trial.

The news that the foundation would be sticking to the medical note from the military health services was first posted on Twitter.

In a thread on the social media platform, the foundation said it was ready to return to the Pietermaritzburg High Court on September 9 and 10 for all parties to debate Zuma’s health.

The hearing has been marred by delays, which include Zuma’s application for the NPA’S senior prosecutor, advocate Billy Downer SC, to recuse himself.

Zuma accused Downer of several examples of misconduct, which included leaking information about his (Zuma’s) corruption trial to the media. When the matter was to be heard last month, Zuma fell ill and could not attend court.

This prompted Judge Piet Koen to rule that all parties must submit medical reports about Zuma’s fitness to come to court.

However, the foundation has since hit back, saying the NPA was second-guessing another state institution (military hospital) by demanding to send its doctor to examine the former president.

Manyi, meanwhile, yesterday told Independent Media that the medical note they submitted last Friday would be used in court next week.

NPA spokesperson Mthunzi Mhaga indicated that the prosecuting body would not comment on the insistence by the Zuma Foundation.

“We are not commenting on this matter until it is heard in court on September 9,” said Mhaga.