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| Former SA President Nelson Mandela with member of his family. |
President Jacob Zuma has cancelled a trip to
Mozambique, as the goverment says Nelson Mandela's condition "remains
critical". Mr
Zuma decided to stay in South Africa after visiting Mr Mandela in hospital
where he "found him to be still in a critical condition", according
to a statement from the President's office.
The
announcement comes after sources confirmed to Sky News that Mr Mandela was no
longer able to breathe unassisted.
The
94-year-old anti-apartheid leader was taken to a Pretoria hospital with a
recurring lung infection on June 8, where he has now been treated for 19 days. The
cancellation of the trip to Mozambique, which was scheduled for today, is the
first time Mr Zuma has scrapped a public engagement during that time.
"Nelson
Mandela's tribal leaders have been told to prepare for the death of the former
president, who remains in hospital unable to breathe without support".
"The
advice comes after meetings with the family over the past two days. "Senior
tribal leaders - including Mr Mandela's tribal heir, grandson Mandla Mandela -
were expected to visit the hospital for further talks with family members.
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| People bring get well messages to Mr Mandela |
The
statement from the president's office said that Mr Zuma was briefed on Mr
Mandela's condition by the doctors treating him. Speaking
earlier in the week Mr Zuma said: "We must support him and support his
family.
"We
must demonstrate our love and appreciation for his leadership during the
struggle for liberation and in our first few years of freedom and democracy by
living out his legacy and promoting unity, non-racialism, non-sexism and
prosperity in our country."
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