Jacob Zuma ‘hopes there was no foul play’ in Jessie Duarte's death

Former ANC president Jacob Zuma on Thursday said he hoped there was no foul play in the death of ANC deputy secretary-general Jessie Duarte.

Zuma broke his silence on Duarte’s death with a statement through the JG Zuma Foundation in which he expressed concern at the spate of leaders dying quickly after falling ill.

According to the Nkandla pensioner, it was “worrying very deeply” that prominent ANC comrades were “dying at the rate that we have not seen before”.

ANC leaders who have died in recent times include three Johannesburg mayors — Geoff Makhubo, Jolidee Matongo and Mpho Moerane, among others.

Gauteng government director-general Thabo Masebe also died this year.

This has indeed been worrying that in a short space of time so many comrades have died without being very sick at all

—  Former president Jacob Zuma

“In the recent past our key comrades have been dying at the rate that we have not seen before,” said Zuma in the statement released after Duarte’s memorial service.

“This has happened in the past few years. This has indeed been worrying that in a short space of time so many comrades have died without being very sick at all.

“Suddenly they get sick and die, why? Is this normal? Certainly, it leaves many of us worried and suspicious. I hope there is no foul play and I believe one day if there was foul play we will get to know.”

Duarte died after a battle with cancer.

Zuma described her as a principled cadre who dedicated her life to the unity of the ANC.

Zuma started working with Duarte in 1990 and she was elected deputy secretary-general when Zuma rose to the ANC top job in the Polokwane 2012 elective conference. Duarte served in that position throughout Zuma’s two terms as ANC president and was again elected to the post in Nasrec 2017, where Cyril Ramaphosa replaced Zuma.

“Comrade Jessie has been as much a comrade, a friend and sister to me, despite the difference in age,” said Zuma. “Her relationship with everyone was based on principle, and she fought against the tendencies to look at issues through the eyes of unprincipled factionalism and favours of wealth and economic power.”