Police Minister Satisfied With Ex-President Zuma's Security Despite MK Party's Concerns

Minister of Police Bheki Cele turned down claims of the uMkhonto we Sizwe party (MK) regarding the security issue of former President Jacob Zuma, assuring that the existing security protocols are in place to safeguard him.

Cele stressed that the security arrangements for the former president are in line which is similar to other former Heads of State in South Africa.

The clarification came on Sunday after the MK party alleged that Zuma's security was compromised, noting that the former president was still using outdated vehicles, which was previously assigned to former State President of South Africa FW de Klerk.

According to the MK party, Zuma's life might be under threat as one of the recent incidents involved Zuma and his security personnel in a car accident while traveling from Nkandla to eShowe in KwaZulu-Natal for party campaigning.

"President Zuma's life, yes, is under threat, it has always been under threat. Fact. But how can it not be under threat when... And then all of a sudden there's an accident," the MK party stated, Central News reported.

Following this incident, police in KwaZulu-Natal took swift action and arrested a 51-year-old man who is suspected of being responsible for the collision with the state vehicle. The suspect has been charged with drunken and reckless driving following an incident detailed by National police spokesperson Athlenda Mathe.

Mathe said that the accident took place on March 28 in the evening. "No one was injured, including members of the presidential protection services. The former President was evacuated from the scene and taken to his residence," he added.

In the wake of not enough security arrangements for Zuma claims, Police Ministry Spokesperson Lirandzu Themba issued a statement last week, calling it "reckless and unwarranted."

She affirmed that both the Ministry and the South African Police Service (SAPS) have been thoroughly briefed on the issue and find no justification in divulging the security particulars of any present or past head of state.

MK party's head of elections Musa Mkhize, on the other hand, said that the party suspects "foul play" in this incident.

"I must say that unfortunately we have been waiting for it to happen. It had happened because the president was warned that come before the day of elections, he will be lying in hospital. We don't know what else more is coming. Thanks to the Presidential Protection Unit members who managed to keep the president safe," Mkhize said, Citizen reported.