Nelson Mandela was fighting for his life last
night after a sudden deterioration in his health.
The 94-year-old former South African president
was said to be ‘critical’ after being admitted to hospital for treatment for a
recurrent lung infection.
Last night his two grandaughters, Swati
Dlamini and Zaziwe Dlamini-Manaway, wrote on their Twitter account: ‘Let us
never forget to pray. God lives. He is near. He is real. He is not only aware
of us but cares for us.’
News of Mandela’s condition emerged after he
was visited by South African president Jacob Zuma.
Preparing the nation for the news everyone
feared, Mr Zuma released a statement to confirm the anti-apartheid hero’s
declining health following a meeting with his doctors.
He was briefed by Mr Mandela’s medical team
that his condition had ‘become critical over the past 24 hours’.
Mr Zuma said in a statement: ‘The doctors are
doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that
Madiba [Mandela’s clan name] is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in
good hands.’
Despite previous claims that Mr Mandela’s
health had been improving after battling a recurring lung infection, it emerged
in the early hours of Saturday that he had become unresponsive.
It was reported that his liver and kidney
functions were down to 50 per cent and he had not opened his eyes for days.
Mr Mandela recently underwent two procedures
at Pretoria Hospital, one to repair a bleeding ulcer and another to insert a
tube into his body.
Last night his immediate family were said to
be discussing whether to withdraw treatment.
It followed revelations that the ambulance
which took Mr Mandela to Pretoria hospital earlier this month broke down en
route, leaving him stranded on the roadside for 40 minutes in winter
temperatures.
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