SA president Zuma discharged from hospital

What you need to know:

  • The 72-year-old leader checked into hospital on Saturday after officials from his party had asked him on Friday to take a break.
  • Zuma was sworn in for a second term two weeks ago after his African National Congress (ANC) party won the May 7 elections with an overwhelming 62 percent of the vote.

JOHANNESBURG

South Africa's President Jacob Zuma left hospital late Sunday, the day after he was admitted for routine tests following a bout of exhaustion, this office said.

"President Jacob Zuma has been discharged from hospital this evening," his office announced in a statement late Sunday. And "the doctors are happy with the results."

The 72-year-old leader checked into hospital on Saturday after officials from his party had asked him on Friday to take a break because "the punishing election programme was taking its toll, not on him only, (but) on many of us," ANC secretary general Gwede Mantashe had earlier said. (READ: President Zuma hospitalised)

Following the discharge from hospital, Zuma will "continue to rest for a few days and will work mainly from home during the rest period," said Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe in the statement.

Zuma was sworn in for a second term two weeks ago after his African National Congress (ANC) party won the May 7 elections with an overwhelming 62 percent of the vote.

His office said the president takes two "major" routine medical examinations each year - in January and in June.

"This time round, the doctors felt he needed to be hospitalised for a thorough check up following a demanding schedule," said the presidency.

Earlier Bongi Ngema-Zuma, one of the president's four wives had told reporters that he is "doing very well" and "just needed time to rest."