South Africa’s Ex-President, Zuma Survives Car Crash

South Africa’s former president, Jacob Zuma, survived a car accident overnight after a vehicle transporting him was hit by a drunk driver, police reported on Friday.

The incident occurred just hours after electoral officials restricted Zuma from standing in the May 29 general election, further stoking tensions in the run-up to the polls.

The driver’s car “collided with former president Mr Jacob Zuma’s official armoured state vehicle”, the South African Police Service (SAPS) said.

The 51-year-old man was arrested in KwaZulu Natal province “for drunken driving, as well as on a charge of reckless and negligent driving”, SAPS added.

Zuma and his bodyguards escaped uninjured and the 81-year-old was taken to his place of residence.