Mandela's grandson walks free

Nelson Mandela's grandson Zondwa, 28, has got off lightly after being caught driving 92km/h over the legal speed limit, according to a newspaper report.

Mandela - one of the directors of the Aurora mine - appeared in the Randburg Magistrate's Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday on charges of reckless or negligent driving, The Star newspaper reported.

He was arrested after being caught driving 158km/h in a 60km/h zone in May.

Magistrate Hombakazi Thwele however withdrew the charge pending the outcome of a diversion programme Mandela had agreed to take part in.

According to the amended National Road Traffic Act, anyone caught going faster than 30km/h over the speed limit in urban areas would have their licence suspended.

The details of the programme were unclear, but community service could form part of it.