Johannesburg - The Presidency on Sunday denied reports that President Jacob Zuma's convoy was involved in a fatal car accident that claimed the life of a pedestrian.
“The Presidency has been alerted to a tweet reportedly by Johannesburg Mayor Mr Herman Mashaba alleging that President Jacob Zuma's convoy was involved in a fatal car accident on Friday,” presidential spokesperson Bongani Ngqulunga said.
Mashaba said in the tweet, “I have just received the terrible news that President Zuma's blue lights brigades killed a friend Solly Moutlana yesterday.”
It is unfortunate that Mashaba, if the tweet is indeed by him, seeks to create an impression that a SAPS (South African Police Service) convoy transporting the president caused this painful loss of life which “is totally untrue and misleading”, Ngqulunga said.
The president was in East London on Friday to participate in the National Council of Province's Taking Parliament to the People event, having travelled from Cape Town. From East London he flew to KwaZulu-Natal. The Presidency, on enquiry, has been informed that police are investigating a case involving the knocking of a pedestrian by a car driven by a police officer in Pretoria, according to Ngqulunga. The pedestrian subsequently passed away, according to reports.
“The SAPS would be better placed to provide clarity on the matter”, said Ngqulunga. “The Presidency extends heartfelt condolences to the family of the deceased on this tragic loss,” he added.
Xinhua