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Mandela to miss World Cup opening | |
(40 minutes later) | |
Zenani Mandela was one of Nelson Mandela's nine great-grandchildren | |
Nelson Mandela is to miss the World Cup opening ceremony after the death of his great-granddaughter, Zenani, in a car crash, his office says. | |
The 13-year-old died when the car taking her home from a Soweto concert on the eve of the World Cup overturned. | |
The car's driver has been arrested and charged with drink-driving, police say. | The car's driver has been arrested and charged with drink-driving, police say. |
The Nelson Mandela Foundation said the tragedy made it inappropriate for the former president, who is 91, to attend the opening ceremony in Johannesburg. | |
"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 [Mr Mandela's clan name] will be there with you in spirit today." | |
Drink-driving charge | 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). | 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). |
Police say the unnamed male driver, who was reportedly unhurt, may also face culpable homicide charges. | 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." | "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. | 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 Ms Madikizela-Mandela 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. | 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 Zenani Mandela had celebrated her 13th birthday on 9 June | |
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. | 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. |