Ambulance breakdown didn’t compromise Mandela’s health: Jacob Zuma

Zee Media Bureau

Pretoria: In wake of South African icon Nelson Mandela’s critical condition, South African President Jacob Zuma on Monday said that Madiba’s condition remained unchanged and appealed to all to pray for him. Speaking at a press conference, Zuma said that Mr Mandela "remains in critical condition." When asked the details, Zuma said that Mandela was asleep when he saw him “last night”. “I can`t give further details. I’m not a doctor,” Zuma said. When asked about the ambulance breakdown that allegedly left an ailing Mandela stranded at the highway, Zuma sought to play down the incident, saying that there were specialist doctors at the site and it didn’t affect the health of Mandela. “There were 7 doctors on the scene and they were in control of situation.. It didn’t compromise hus (Mandela’s) health. .. Nobody can predict if car breaks,” Zuma said. A military ambulance carrying Mandela had broken down on a highway due to some engine problem on June 8. Mandela had suffered a cardiac arrest and was on his way to a hospital in Pretoria when the ambulance was stuck on the highway in the pre-dawn hours. The 94-year-old anti-apartheid icon was admitted to hospital on June 8 for a recurrent lung infection. Assuring the people about Mandela’s health, President Zuma said that the doctors were doing everything possible to ensure Madiba’s well-being and comfort. He also appealed to the nation and the world to pray for Nelson Mandela. Mandela, who became South Africa`s first black president in 1994, is due to celebrate his 95th birthday on July 18.