Mandela skips World Cup opening, Great-Granddaughter Dies in Car Crash

Source: pointblanknews.com

Nelson Mandela's 13-year-old great-granddaughter was killed in a car crash on the way home from a concert in Soweto on the eve of the World Cup, his office said Friday.

The Nelson Mandela Foundation said Zenani Mandela died in a one-car accident after attending the World Cup kickoff concert at the Orlando Stadium.

Madela did not attend Friday's World Cup opening ceremony and game in Johannesburg, dashing South Africans' hopes the frail 91-year-old  former president would make a rare appearance.

Mandela and his family were "torn up" by the accident, the foundation added. Mandela would be at the ceremony in spirit, a foundation  spokesman added.

Johannesburg Metro police spokeswoman Edna Mamonyane said the driver  of the car, a man, had been arrested and charged with drunk driving. Mamonyane said the driver, who police would not name, could also face  culpable homicide charges.