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Mandela's condition 'critical'

24 June 2013

Nelson Mandela's condition had deteriorated over the weekend, and South Africa's former president was now in a critical condition, the Presidency said on Sunday night.

The 94-year-old elder statesman has been in hospital in Pretoria for the last two weeks receiving treatment for a recurring lung infection that has seen him hospitalised four times since December.

"The condition of former President Nelson Mandela, who is still in hospital in Pretoria, has become critical," the Presidency said in a statement.

Earlier in the evening, President Jacob Zuma and African National Congress (ANC) Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa had visited Mandela in hospital, where they were told his medical team that his condition had become critical over the past 24 hours.

The President and Ramaphosa also met with Graca Machel at the hospital.

"The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable," Zuma said. "He is in good hands."

The President appealed to the nation and the world to pray for Madiba, his family and his medical team.

Zuma and Ramaphosa were assured by the doctors that when the ambulance transporting former Mandela to hospital on 8 June developed engine problems, all care had been taken to ensure that his medical condition was not compromised.

"There were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period. He had expert medical care," Zuma said.

"The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The doctors also dismissed the [weekend] media reports that Madiba suffered cardiac arrest. There is no truth at all in that report."

Source: SAnews.gov.za