Zuma mourns bodyguard

President Jacob Zuma was mourning the loss of one of his bodyguards, who died of an illness at the weekend, the presidency says.

"I am still shocked by the news. When I see the team each morning I somehow forget and think I will see him," Zuma said in a statement.

"He was soft-spoken and polite, but a very firm, no-nonsense man. He was always a pleasure to work with."

Patrick Maphumulo, 39, died in Durban on Sunday.

Presidency spokeswoman Zanele Mngadi said Maphumulo had been sick, but could not give further details.

"Captain Maphumulo had been part of President Zuma's security detail for many years, playing the role of number one protector, always behind or beside the President since his tenure as deputy president," Mngadi said.

Zuma extended his condolences to Maphumulo's wife Nonala and their children.

He would attend the funeral service at the Ezinyathini Reserve in Mbumbulu, KwaZulu-Natal, on Saturday.