Durban - A black car suspected to have caused the crash in which President Jacob Zuma’s children were injured on Friday morning was allegedly driven away after the accident.
A relative of Zuma’s wife Nompumelelo Ntuli-Zuma, the mother of Zuma’s two injured young daughters, said the children were still at a hospital in Pietermaritzburg.
Ntuli-Zuma’s son, from a previous relationship, was also believed to be injured and in hospital. They were getting better and were eating and talking.
“The children said a black car appeared out of nowhere and bumped their vehicle, leading to the crash. They said the other car did not stop,” said the relative.
However, police spokesman Thulani Zwane said police could not confirm or deny the allegation that the second car failed to stop.
“We are not going to discuss the details, except to say police are investigating. We confirm a case of reckless and negligent driving was opened for investigation. No arrests have yet been made,” said Zwane.
The accident happened near Copesville as the children were being taken along the R33 towards the city about 6am.
“It is a miracle that the children are recovering very well; those who witnessed the accident said they should not have survived,” he said.
The Sunday Times reported that Zuma was seen entering St Anne’s Hospital about 7pm on Friday, and left in high spirits an hour later.
It said Ntuli-Zuma was also at the hospital.
The relative said Ntuli-Zuma’s relatives and Zuma’s family members had been in and out of the hospital since news of the accident.
Netcare 911 spokesman Chris Botha said that four children had sustained serious injuries while a child and two adults had minor injuries.
“We went inside the ward to see the children. We then held a prayer service to thank God that the children’s condition was not bad, said the relative.
“There was a fourth child who was also injured and is a relative of Ubaba (father – in reference to Zuma).”
Asked about Ntuli-Zuma’s reaction to the accident, the relative said: “She is a God-loving woman, and has been consoled by God. She is strong.
“But the children are still shocked,” he said.
The children were being driven by a state driver when the accident happened.
“They are always driven by state security. I’m not sure what they were going to Pietermaritzburg for,” he said.
The Mercury