Former South African President Nelson Mandela’s condition is “unchanged,” a government spokesman saidin a Monday statement. An ominous Saturday statement released by the same spokesman, Mac Maharaj, warned that Mandela’s “condition deteriorated” and that doctors were attempting to “make him better and comfortable.”
“Former President Nelson Mandela remains in hospital, and his condition is unchanged,” said Maharaj’s Monday statement. “Madiba was admitted on Saturday, 8 June, for treatment in a Pretoria hospital for a lung infection. President Jacob Zuma reiterates his call for South Africa to pray for Madiba and the family during this time.”
The Mail & Guardian newspaper reported Monday that members of the press snatched up all parking spots before 7 a.m. local time near the Pretoria hospital where Mandela, 94, is believed to be receiving treatment for a lung infection.
Graça Machel, Mandela’s third and current wife, accompanied him to the hospital, the Mail & Guardianreported Saturday. His daughter Zenani Dlamini, South Africa’s ambassador to Argentina, flew home to be with him, Nehanda Radio reports, and his ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela visited his bedside Monday.