Former South African President Jacob Zuma narrowly escaped unharmed from a car accident after a vehicle transporting him was struck by a drunk driver, according to police reports.
The incident occurred just hours after electoral officials announced their decision to bar Zuma from participating in the upcoming May 29 general elections. The South African Police Service (SAPS) revealed that a 51-year-old man was arrested in KwaZulu-Natal province for drunken driving and reckless and negligent driving.
The collision involved the suspect’s car and Zuma’s official armored state vehicle. Both Zuma, aged 81, and his bodyguards emerged from the crash unscathed. However, the suspect is expected to appear in court on Tuesday to face charges related to the incident.
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Zuma, a veteran of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), has been actively campaigning for the newly formed uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party in an effort to revive his political career. Despite facing legal challenges, including a jail term for contempt of court in 2021, Zuma remains influential within South African politics.
Nhlamulo Ndhlela, spokesperson for the MK party, suggested that the collision was not accidental and insinuated foul play. He criticized the lack of vehicle upgrades for Zuma’s protection unit over the past eight years and implicated the police minister, alleging a targeted attack on Zuma’s motorcade.
The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in the lead-up to the elections, with the ANC facing the possibility of losing its majority for the first time since the end of apartheid in 1994. The party has been grappling with declining support due to economic challenges, corruption allegations, and governance issues.
As investigations into the car crash continue, South Africa braces for a fiercely contested electoral battle, with the outcome likely to shape the country’s political landscape for years to come.
