Former president of South Africa, Jacob Zuma, survived a car crash yesterday when a drunk driver crashed into the vehicle he was in, according to the police on Friday.
The event occurred shortly after election officials barred prevented Zuma from participating in the May 29 general election, escalating tensions before the polls.
The driver's vehicle collided with the official armored state vehicle of ex-president Mr Jacob Zuma, as reported by the South African Police Service (SAPS).
The 51-year-old man was apprehended in KwaZulu Natal province for drunk driving and recklessly operating a vehicle, SAPS stated.
Zuma and his bodyguards were unharmed, and the 81-year-old was taken home.
Zuma, a former prominent member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), was removed from office in 2018 amidst corruption allegations but still holds significant political influence.
In December, he declared his support for the opposition uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party as part of an effort to revive his career, dealing a major blow to the ANC.
After a failed attempt to disqualify MK, the ANC has now filed a new legal action against the party.
The ANC argues that MK's name and logo are too similar to those of the now-defunct apartheid-era military wing of the ANC, once led by Nelson Mandela, potentially causing confusion among voters.
– Conspiracy theories –
Nhlamulo Ndhlela, spokesperson for MK, suggested that the car crash was not a coincidence.
Ndhlela informed AFP, "The minister of police, responsible for the former president's protection unit, has not upgraded his vehicle in eight years and has previously made comments about burying Zuma."
He asserted, "There are underhanded intentions at play here," claiming that Zuma's vehicle was deliberately targeted in the motorcade.
Political tensions are escalating as the ANC is at risk of falling below 50 percent of the vote for the first time since coming to power in 1994 at the end of apartheid.
The party is losing support amid a weak economy and accusations of corruption and mismanagement.
Zuma's car accident, just two months before the election, has sparked conspiracy theories on social media.
The driver of the other vehicle is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday.
When asked about Zuma's condition, Ndhlela told AFP: "He is in good spirits as always and was laughing this morning about the accident.
But it doesn't mean he took it lightly or is unaware of what's happening.
"Mr Zuma is at church today, praying that the devil does not infiltrate MK," referring to the ANC.
AFP
