MK party leader and former president Jacob Zuma. Photo: EPA-EFE/KIM LUDBROOK
The uMkhonto we Sizwe (MK) party said former president Jacob Zuma has survived a car crash.
It is understood Zuma was travelling from Nkandla to eShowe in KwaZulu-Natal shortly before 7pm on Thursday night to campaign for the MK party when the car in his convoy crashed between Gingindlovu and eShowe in KwaZulu-Natal.
Zuma nor his bodyguards were injured in the car crash.
MK head of elections Musa Mkhize told SABC Zuma is safe where he is being kept.
“What happened last night, I must say that unfortunately we have been waiting for it to happen. It had happened because the president was warned that come before the day of elections, he will be lying in hospital. We don’t know what else more is coming. Thanks to the Presidential Protection Unit members who managed to keep the president safe.
Mkhize said they are “highly concerned” by Zuma’s accident.
“We are registering this particularly with the Presidential Protection Unit and the Minister of Police [Bheki Cele], that the safety of the president has been highly compromised due to poltical interferance in his safety,” Mkhize said.
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Mkhize referred to the crash as a “so called accident” claiming the MK party is suspecting foul play.
“Whoever is doing it, they know themselves out there… they’ve said it publicly, on national broadcasts and people know who they are.”
Mkhize further alleged that Zuma’s security had been reduced dramatically “and his life is in danger” since he announced his support for the MK Party
Zuma’s accident came the day the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC )confirmed that an objection to his candidature was received and upheld by the commission.
The IEC said its decision to uphold the objection against Zuma’s nomination – one of eight objections to candidates wanting to contest the elections was not personal.
Chairperson, Mosotho Moepya said one of the grounds for disqualification is if any person who was convicted of an offence has been sentenced to more than 12 months imprisonment without the option of a fine.
However, the MK party spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said Zuma remained the face of the party, whether he was eligible to be on the ballot or not and warned the Constitution could not supersede the “will of the people.”
“The people will decide if we contest elections without Zuma. The people have decided that they want President Zuma to lead them,” adding that the Constitution could be changed to allow the former president to be on the ballot.”
This is the second major set back for Zuma after he suffered yet another defeat in his latest bid to privately prosecute state advocate Billy Downer and journalist Karyn Maughan.
ALSO READ: Zuma suffers yet another defeat in private prosecution of Downer and Maughan
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