Thursday 27 June 2013

Doctors summoned Mandela family

Doctors who are treating former South African president  Nelson Mandela on Thursday afternoon  urgently summoned Mandela's family and government top officials  to the MEDICLINIC Heart Hospital  where the global icon  is being treated.

This comes  after it was revealed that Mandela’s life support machine was shut down and he has died in the hospital.

  Family members arrived at the Pretoria hospital around  where Mandela is critically-ill with a recurring lung infection  around 10 AM .

His daughter Makaziwe Mandela arrived in a red Range Rover, entering the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital’s Park Street gates at 10:15.

Earlier Deputy Defense minister Thabang Makwetla who’s ministry is responsible for taking care of Mandela’s health   arrived at the hospital in a black  Lexus which was followed by a convoy of president Jacob Zuma. 

Zuma who was scheduled to travel to Mozambique on Thursday cancelled his trip in order to meet the doctors and family.

After meeting the doctors both president Jacob Zuma and the family of Mandela drove to Zuma’s residents which is a few kilometres from the hospital.

Earlier, Democratic Alliance spokesperson Mmusi Maimane arrived to place flowers and a card at a “wall of well-wishes”, which is fast running out of space.

Maimane said he wanted to express his gratitude to the anti-apartheid icon and to show support for the medical team caring for him.

“Nelson Mandela is not only the former president, the liberator. There’s an overwhelming feeling in the country when all of us think about what is happening here.

“We’ve come to relay our thoughts to the family as well,” Maimane said on his way to the Celliers Street entrance

 The Guardian Express  earlier reported  that the global icon died on Wednesday night while he was still in the hospital for recurring lung infection.
According to the Guardian, authorities have confirmed that the global icon has been taken off his life by switching of his life support machine.
On Wednesday Mandela's family  discussed on whether they should remove Mandela from the life support machine at   an urgent family meeting which was held at Mandela’s village in Qunu, the meeting  was called by Madiba’s elder daughter Makaziwe.
After the Qunu meeting Madiba’s grandson, Ndaba went to inspect the grave site and grave diggers were spotted at the site.
Speaking in a telephone interview Chief Mfundo Mtirara who is related to Mandela, and is the headman of the Matyenggina in Qunu, denied to comment on the meeting saying  it was “very sensitive issue”  and the contents of the discussions were only meant for the family.
Some of the notable faces which attended the meeting were Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and UDM leader Bantu Holomisa, who is said to be involved closely in the funeral arrangements.

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