A man has been arrested in connection with a car accident involving former President Jacob Zuma, the police confirmed on Friday.
The incident occurred while Zuma was travelling to Eshowe in KwaZulu-Natal. Zuma and his protectors escaped unharmed in the crash, which took place at approximately 6:30 pm on the R66 on Thursday, according to police spokesperson Brig Athlenda Mathe.
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The collision involved the man’s motor vehicle and Zuma’s official armoured state vehicle. Fortunately, no one, including members of the Presidential Protection Services (PPS), was injured in the accident. Following the collision, Zuma was safely evacuated and taken to his residence, Mathe stated.
The 51-year-old man has been charged with drunken driving, as well as reckless and negligent driving. He is scheduled to appear in the Eshowe Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday to face these charges.
The accident involving Zuma was confirmed by Musa Mkhize, the MK Party’s Head of Elections in KwaZulu-Natal. In an interview with the SABC, Mkhize revealed that the party and Zuma had been warned about such an incident occurring.
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Furthermore, this incident comes shortly after the Electoral Commission (IEC) endorsed objections to Zuma’s nomination to stand for Parliament.
Despite having a criminal record resulting from a 15-month prison sentence for contempt of court in 2021, Zuma was nominated by the MK Party as its main candidate for the National Assembly. The MK Party has expressed its intention to appeal against the IEC’s decision.
Overall, this arrest and car accident involving former President Jacob Zuma have raised further political and legal concerns in the lead-up to the elections.
