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Mandela's relative dies in crash | Mandela's relative dies in crash |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Zenani Mandela had celebrated her 13th birthday on 9 June | Zenani Mandela had celebrated her 13th birthday on 9 June |
Nelson Mandela's great-granddaughter has been killed in a car crash after a concert on the eve of the World Cup. | Nelson Mandela's great-granddaughter has been killed in a car crash after a concert on the eve of the World Cup. |
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the death of Zenani Mandela meant the former president would not be attending the opening ceremony in Johannesburg. | |
Miss Mandela, 13, died as her car overturned as it was taking her home from the concert in Soweto. No-one else was hurt. | |
The car's driver has been arrested and charged with drink-driving, police say. | |
The incident came just hours before the former South African president was due to attend the opening of the World Cup in Johannesburg. | The incident came just hours before the former South African president was due to attend the opening of the World Cup in Johannesburg. |
The Foundation said the death of one of Mr Mandela's s nine great-grandchildren made it inappropriate for him to attend World Cup opening celebrations. | |
"We are sure that South Africans and people all over the world will stand in solidarity with Mr Mandela and his family in the aftermath of this tragedy," said a statement. "Madiba will be there with you in spirit today." | |
Drink-driving charge | |
The car carrying the teenager overturned as it came off a slip road on the M1 motorway, which travels through Johannesburg city centre, at around 0030 (2230 GMT on Thursday). | |
Winnie Mandela was reportedly taken to hospital and treated for shock | |
Police say the unnamed male driver, who was reportedly unhurt, may also face culpable homicide charges. | |
"He lost control of the vehicle and it collided with a barricade," police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane told the Associated Press. "The Metro police found that he was drunk." | |
Early reports quoted police as saying Nelson Mandela's former wife, Winnie Madikizela, had been in the car when the accident happened. | |
The Foundation told the BBC Winnie Madikizela was not in the car - which was the only vehicle involved in the crash - but that she had been taken to hospital because of her shock at the news of Zenani's death. | |
Foundation spokesman Sello Hating said she had been released from hospital after a couple of hours and returned home. | |
"The family has asked for privacy as they mourn this tragedy," said the Foundation in a statement. | "The family has asked for privacy as they mourn this tragedy," said the Foundation in a statement. |
Zenani had celebrated her 13th birthday on 9 June. | Zenani had celebrated her 13th birthday on 9 June. |
Heavy traffic | Heavy traffic |
South Africa has one of the world's worst road safety records, and there are nearly 50 deaths each day on roads across the country. | |
Thursday's World Cup concert had drawn tens of thousands to Soweto's Orlando Stadium, and traffic in the area had been busy into the early hours of Friday. | Thursday's World Cup concert had drawn tens of thousands to Soweto's Orlando Stadium, and traffic in the area had been busy into the early hours of Friday. |
The event featured a cast of international stars - including Colombian singer Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys, as well as African stars Amadou & Mariam and Hugh Masekela. | The event featured a cast of international stars - including Colombian singer Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and Alicia Keys, as well as African stars Amadou & Mariam and Hugh Masekela. |
Anti-apartheid icon Mr Mandela, 91, had campaigned for the World Cup to come to South Africa. | Anti-apartheid icon Mr Mandela, 91, had campaigned for the World Cup to come to South Africa. |
Some 350,000 people are expected to visit South Africa for the competition, which is being held in Africa for the first time. | Some 350,000 people are expected to visit South Africa for the competition, which is being held in Africa for the first time. |