Mandela family denies urgent meeting rumours

SOUTH AFRICA, Johannesburg – The family of critically ill former president Nelson Mandela on Thursday denied rumours of an urgent meeting at his Houghton, Johannesburg, home. 

“No, I haven’t heard anything about that,” Mandela’s grandson, Mandla Mandela, told Sapa.

Makaziwe Mandela, the former statesman’s eldest daughter, declined to comment on the rumours and asked that she not be contacted again for comment.

International news agency AFP earlier reported that Mandla Mandela would no longer appear in court on Friday, “amid rumours” of a family meeting at the Mandela home.

Mandla Mandela’s case on a gun-related charge had been postponed to December 12. Speaking to the SABC earlier this week, Makaziwe and Mandela’s grandson Ndaba, said the global icon was not doing well.

“Tata is still with us. Very strong, as I said very courageous, even in [sic]… lack of a better word, on his death bed, I think he is still teaching us lessons. Lessons in patience, lessons in love, lessons in tolerance,” said Makaziwe Mandela.

Ndaba Mandela said: “He is still with us. Although he is not doing well at home in bed.”

Mandela spent almost three months in hospital after being admitted to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in June with a recurring lung infection. Throughout his hospital stay, the Presidency reported that he was in a critical but stable condition.

Mandela was discharged in September and was receiving home-based medical treatment.

President Jacob Zuma visited Mandela at his Houghton home on 18 November, after which his spokesperson, Mac Maharaj said: “The health of the former president remains much the same as it was when President Zuma last visited him, which is stable but critical, while Madiba continues to respond to treatment.”

Maharaj told AFP on Thursday: “My last update stands”. – SAPA