The driver of a vehicle that crashed into legendary poet Mzwakhe Mbuli in a near-fatal accident outside the SABC offices in Auckland Park has been arrested.
The accident happened almost two years ago.
The man, who is a Somalian, allegedly gave the police wrong personal information including his residential address. He has been on the run since the accident.
In a statement sent to Sunday World through his lawyer, the poet said he was alerted of the driver’s arrest this week, noting that he will meet him in court next week.
“On the 31st of October 2021, the People’s Poet Mzwakhe Mbuli heard a loud bang. While sitting inside his car, another car drove straight to his car at a parked position outside the SABC,” reads the statement.
“Mbuli came out miraculously unhurt but the car was extensively damage.
“The driver’s right side was completely damaged, from the right fender, mirror and windscreen, all were broken.”
The poet alleged that after the incident, scores of Somalis came “with a mob psychology” to intimidate him.
“Fortunately, I was not scared and fearlessly stood my ground until police came. Despite the police presence, the Somalis were aggressive,” he said.
Somalian arrested, granted bail
The Somalian driver was arrested and taken to the Brixton police station. He was later granted bail.
The case was later dropped, however, the aggrieved poet and his lawyer approached the National Prosecuting Authority to reinstate the docket.
The driver could not be located at the address he provided and summons and a warrant of arrest were issued for him to appear in court.
The driver was arrested on Friday and is expected to appear at the Johannesburg magistrate’s court on Wednesday next week.
Mbuli’s work includes a book of poems Before Dawn (1989), and albums Change Is Pain (1986), Unbroken Spirit (1989), Resistance Is Defence (1992), and Africa (1993).
His well-known poem Change Is Pain is a protest piece about oppression and revolution.
It was initially banned until growing pressure forced the apartheid government to allow more freedom of speech.
