Mbeki beats the gridlock on foot

NOT EVEN former president Thabo Mbeki could escape the traffic chaos that gripped the Joburg city centre yesterday.

Mbeki walked through the city smiling and waving, leaving behind scores of motorists hooting in frustration at the traffic anarchy.

Mbeki and his wife Zanele had earlier made their way along Sauer Street, via Jeppe, in several blue-light brigade cars that faced oncoming traffic.

They finally abandoned their ride when the cars tried to drive on the wrong side of the road.

Not a single traffic official was in sight. Security personnel tried to redirect traffic, demanding that motorists give way.

But when this proved futile, the Mbekis ditched their convoy in the middle of Pritchard Street and walked to the Joburg City Hall to attend the memorial service for late ANC stalwart Reggie September, where Mbeki was the keynote speaker.

As a suit- clad Mbeki alighted from his car, onlookers shouted in excitement and clapped at the sight of him and his wife.

With several security guards by their side the couple walked hand in hand to the main hall.