NFP president Zanele Magwaza-Msibi admitted to Ethekwini Hospital

Zanele Magwaza-Msibi, National Freedom Party leader and Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, was admitted to Mediclinic Newcastle over the weekend.

It is believed she was in a critical condition, despite NFP party spokesperson Canaan Medletshe saying she had been admitted ‘to rest’.

After being stabilised in Newcastle, Mrs Magwaza-Msibi was transferred by ambulance to Ethekwini Hospital and Heart Centre.

A Newcastle resident travelling between Pietermaritzburg and Howick said he had seen an ambulance under heavy escort travelling towards Durban late on Monday afternoon.

“The ambulance had at least four black SUVs with it, with blue lights flashing,” he claimed.

A member of the administrative staff of Ethekwini Hospital declined to comment, referring all queries to Mrs Magwaza-Msibi’s office.

“It will be recalled that Mrs Magwaza-Msibi led the NFP’s election campaign during the 2011 local government elections and this year’s general elections and has never rested. After being appointed as the deputy minister, she has worked hard and travelled extensively, campaigning for the party and doing government work, including travelling abroad,” Mr Medletshe told The Citizen.

Sizwe Mchunu, leader of the Democratic Alliance in KwaZulu-Natal expressed his deepest regret at the news.

“We wish her a speedy recovery and we hope her condition is not too critical,” he said on Monday. “We are very disturbed by this news and can only hope for her full recovery.”

Mrs Magwaza-Msibi made headlines recently, as she is reportedly battling to hold on to her position as the NFP leader.