Widely considered the founder of south African Democracy. President Obama was expected to visit him this Friday but now it is unclear whether he will change his plan giving this revelation.
Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) -- Anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela was on life support in a Pretoria hospital late Wednesday, said an official who had been briefed in detail on his condition.
Considered the founding father of South Africa's democracy, Mandela, 94, has been hospitalized since June 8 for a recurring lung infection. Authorities have described his condition as critical since Sunday, and President Jacob Zuma said earlier Wednesday that Mandela's condition remained unchanged, South Africa's national news agency reported. In a statement issued late Tuesday, the government said Mandela's doctors "continue to do their best to ensure his recovery, well-being and comfort."
As the nation remained on edge, police barricaded the street leading to the hospital's main entrance. Well-wishers hung balloons, stuffed animals and messages of support along the wall outside his Pretoria hospital. Crowds hovering nearby sang "Where is Mandela?"
Nelson Mandela's family reportedly advised to take former South African president off life support
Doctors treating former South African President Nelson Mandela say the anti-apartheid leader is in a "permanent vegetative state" and had urged the family to discontinue his life support, according to documents obtained by Agence France-Presse.
The documents, dated June 26, say Mandela's breathing is being mechanically assisted and the Mandela family has "been advised by the medical practitioners that his life support machine should be switched off" due to the "perilous" state of his health.
"Rather than prolonging his suffering, the Mandela family is exploring this option as a very real probability," the documents say.
Doctors treating former South African President Nelson Mandela say the anti-apartheid leader is in a "permanent vegetative state" and had urged the family to discontinue his life support, according to documents obtained by Agence France-Presse.
The documents, dated June 26, say Mandela's breathing is being mechanically assisted and the Mandela family has "been advised by the medical practitioners that his life support machine should be switched off" due to the "perilous" state of his health.
"Rather than prolonging his suffering, the Mandela family is exploring this option as a very real probability," the documents say.
Between Nelson Mandelas health problems and Oscar Pistorius legal woes South Africa has been getting more news coverage than its had in 20 years. Not sure if its a good or bad thing.
Jk, but there are a lot of people who can actually say that. I'll have a drink for Mandela tonight while I celebrate the fourth. Sleep well Mr. Nelly Mandelly.
He shouldn't have been placed on life support. Elderly people should be allowed to die peacefully and comfortably at a doctor's discretion rather than be placed on a life-support machine indefinitely until the family guiltily decides to switch it off.
EPT
