The ANC’s electioneering campaign took its toll on all members not only president Jacob Zuma, the party said on Sunday.
“We have released comrade Zuma to go and relax,” secretary general Gwede Mantashe said at the party’s headquarters, Luthuli House. “The election programme took its toll on many of us … I also took nine days off.” Mantashe explained that one by one ANC members were taking time off to re-energise after the gruelling campaign.
“All our officials will take time off.”
Zuma was admitted to a Pretoria hospital on Saturday and was instructed to rest following its campaign and transition to a new administration. Mantashe said the hospital visit was for a routine check-up.
“It was a routine health check. We heard he would be out by yesterday [Saturday] afternoon or today,” he said. “We expect him to rest more. This election campaign was quite a punishing one. It was punishing for everyone.” – Sapa