Johnathan Paoli
KwaZulu-Natal Police have confirmed the arrest of a 51-year-old man on suspicion of drunk driving and reckless negligence after he allegedly rammed into a car in which former President Jacob Zuma was a passenger.
Zuma was unhurt in the incident which took place on Thursday evening when he was on his way from Eshowe, north of KwaZulu-Natal to his home in Nkandla, reports said.
The man is expected to appear at the Eshowe Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
However, MK’s head of elections, Musa Mkhize, said he believed the accident illustrated the failed state of safety in the country and hinted at an ulterior motive behind it.
“As uMkhonto weSizwe Party we are hugely concerned about the safety of all South Africans and the safety of the former President, who is in support of uMkhonto weSizwe. We also believe there is also foul play and a threat to his life,” Mkhize said.
On the day of the accident Mkhize said Zuma was on his way to his Nkandla homestead following a political event in Eshowe.
“Like I said, it was an accident which still needs to be investigated. Our belief is that it still needs to be investigated… mainly because it targeted the car that the former president was in,” Mkhize said.
The accident came after the Electoral Commission reported that Zuma is barred from taking part in the upcoming National General Elections and contesting for a seat in Parliament because of his criminal record.
MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndlela said that the party remains unsure of the merits of the IEC’s decision to prohibit Zuma from standing as of its candidates for Parliament.
“We are told there’s an objection that was made, I have not seen that and in terms of what the merits of the objection are. But they allude to the 15-month sentence, which we will review. Where I am right now, whatever it is, we will appeal it,” Ndlela said.
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