JOHANNESBURG: Death threatened the family of Nelson Mandela this week, when would-be hijackers and the family’s driver exchanged fire as the grandchildren of the former president lay on the ground outside their home in Johannesburg.
Police spokesman Govindsamy Mariemuthoo said yesterday the clash came after the children were driven to the home of Mr Mandela’s daughter, Zindzi, following his 92nd birthday celebrations on Sunday.
As they reached the front gate, two gunmen ordered the occupants of the car out and forced them to lie on the driveway. One of the gunmen opened fire but the family driver shot back and the attackers fled. South African media reported that a vehicle suspected to be the gunmen’s getaway car was recovered near Johannesburg.
It is not known if the family was deliberately targeted, and it was unclear why police delayed confirming the shoutout yesterday. Hijackings are common in Johannesburg, with armed robbers often showing no hesitation about killing. The city has one of the highest murder rates in the world, although crime was said to have fallen 70 per cent during the soccer World Cup, as thousands of extra police were deployed.
On the eve of the football tournament last month, a granddaughter of Mr Mandela, Zenani, 13, was killed when the vehicle she was travelling in crashed into a roadside railing. The driver was arrested for drink-driving. During the World Cup, Mr Mandela overcame his grief to greet soccer fans before the final match in a rare public appearance.
Driven in a small golf cart and seated alongside his wife, the smiling and warmly dressed Mr Mandela was welcomed by a thunderous mix of vuvuzela blasts and roars from the crowd.
He shook hands with officials before leaving the field a few minutes later.
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