Former South African President Jacob Zuma escaped unhurt from a car accident on the night of Thursday to Friday, hit by a drunk driver, police announced. The accident took place hours after electoral authorities banned Zuma from participating in the May 29 general election, reigniting tensions ahead of the vote. The driver's car
“collided with the official armored vehicle of former President Jacob Zuma
,” the South African Police (SAPS) said in a statement.
The 51-year-old man was arrested in KwaZulu Natal province
"for drink-driving as well as careless and negligent driving"
, the SAPS said. Neither Zuma nor his bodyguards were injured and the 81-year-old former leader was returned home.
Attempt to revive his career
The veteran of the ruling African National Congress (ANC) was forced from office in 2018 after being accused of corruption, but he remains influential. In December, he announced he would campaign for the recently established opposition Umkhonto We Sizwe (MK) party, an attempt to revive his career that dealt a major blow to the ANC. On Wednesday, the ANC filed a new application with the court against the MK party, after being rejected in an initial application, claiming that its name and logo were similar to those of the military wing of the ANC, now dissolved, and that this could mislead or fuel confusion among voters.
MK spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela told AFP the collision between the cars was not a coincidence.
“The police minister responsible for the former president's protection unit has not upgraded his vehicle for eight years, and this is the same person who mentioned in messages a Zuma funeral
,” a- he declared.
“This is a sneaky game
,” said Ndhlela, asserting that Zuma's car was specifically targeted in the procession. The accident inspired conspiracy theories on social media. The driver is expected to appear in court on Tuesday.
During the May elections, according to observers, the ANC could fall below 50% of the vote for the first time since it came to power at the end of apartheid in 1994, weighed down by the weakness of the economy and accusations of corruption and mismanagement. Asked about Zuma's state of health, Ndhlela told AFP:
"He is in good spirits, as always, and laughed this morning about the accident, but that doesn't mean he laughed it off. taken lightly and is not aware of what is happening
.