Nelson Mandela's great-granddaughter dies in car crash
(06-11 14:38)
Nelson Mandela's 13-year-old great granddaughter was killed early this morning when her car overturned on a Johannesburg highway after South Africa's World Cup concert.
She was travelling with her great-grandmother, Mandela's ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, who was taken to hospital but who was not seriously injured, a hospital official said.
The driver of the vehicle has been arrested as police investigate charges of culpable homicide, police spokeswoman Colonel Noxolo Kweza said.
"Zenani Mandela, 13, was travelling in a car returning from the World Cup kick-off concert at Orlando Stadium when the accident occurred. There was only one car involved and no one else was injured,'' The Mandela Foundation said in a statement.
Madikizela-Mandela suffered no serious injuries in the accident, which happened around 12.35am today near the Johannesburg city centre.
"She was here briefly but she's currently not admitted. She's already gone home,'' said an official at Morningside Medi-Clinic. "Physically I know that nothing was wrong with her. I think she's just very heartbroken.''
Zenani was the granddaughter of Zindzi Mandela, one of the children born to South Africa's first black president and Winnie Madikizela-Mandela.
"Zenani, who celebrated her 13th birthday on June 9, was the eldest child of Zoleka Seakamela and one of Mr Mandela's nine great grand-children,'' the Foundation said. "The family has asked for privacy as they mourn this tragedy.''
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
|
|
|
|
