Archbishop Desmond likens Mandela`s family feud to `spitting on his face`

London: South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu has urged ailing Nelson Mandela`s family members to end their squabble over the reburial of three of his children.

The feud over the reburial of Mandela`s children is linked to the decision on where Mandela will eventually be buried, since he expressed his wish to rest alongside his family members. Archbishop Tutu said that it`s almost like spitting in Mandela`s face and pleaded with the family not to tarnish his name. South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe criticised the behaviour of Mandela`s family and said that they should manage their affairs in a dignified manner. Earlier, a certificate of urgency was filed in the court on behalf of Mandela`s eldest daughter, Makaziwe, that said his health was perilous and he was assisted in breathing by a life-support machine. BBC reports that President Jacob Zuma denied any such reports given by doctors. Zuma said Mandela was in a critical, but stable condition. According to the report, a permanent vegetative state would only be made once the condition was considered irreversible. ANI