Release of Mabuza's medical records ‘a political obligation’ – analyst
Political analyst Ralph Mathekga says the call for the release of Deputy
President David Mabuza’s medical records is a matter of national importance.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) wants the South African Military Health Service’s surgeon-general, Lieutenant-General Zola Dabula, to update the nation on Mabuza’s health, following his month-long medical treatment in Russia.
The party believes the deputy president's prolonged absence from office due to medical reasons is concerning and it would be in the public interest for the surgeon-general to clarify Mabuza's suitability to continue in his role.
Mathekga says as much as it is a matter of privacy, leaders should willingly publish their health records.
“It’s matter of privacy, politically leaders should be willing to make such kind of records public, I mean you subject your self to a level of scrutiny.”
Mathekga further explained that there is a political obligation as there is a bunch of speculation surrounding Mabuza’s health.
“It is not comforting, that at this point the deputy president’s health state remains a matter of speculation, there are no facts that one can verify out there, there’s a lot speculation regarding the extent of his health troubles. From that point of view, I think a political obligation arises for one to disclose (but) the obligation from a legal point of view is quite another.”
Mabuza is expected back in the country on Wednesday.
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