Doctors advised unplugging 'vegetative' Mandela's life support

JOHANNESBURG - Agence France-Presse

Heart-shaped street art depicting former South African President Nelson Mandela is seen in Cape Town on July 4, 2013. AFP photo

Doctors treating Nelson Mandela said he was in a "permanent vegetative state" and advised his family to turn off his life support machine, according to court documents dated June 26, obtained by AFP July 4.

"He is in a permanent vegetative state and is assisted in breathing by a life support machine," said a legal filing related to a family dispute over reburying the remains of three of Mandela's children.

"The Mandela family have been advised by the medical practitioners that his life support machine should be switched off.

"Rather than prolonging his suffering, the Mandela family is exploring this option as a very real probability." The "Certificate of Urgency" document was filed by a lawyer representing Mandela family members who had successfully sought a court order to return the disputed children's remains to the revered South African leader's childhood home, after a grandson had them moved to his own village.

However, the South African government denied the information disclosed in the court documents, saying although Mandela's situation was critical, he was not in a vegetative state.

"We confirm our earlier statement released this afternoon after President Jacob Zuma visited Madiba in hospital that Madiba remains in a critical, but stable condition. The doctors deny that the former President is in a vegetative state," read the statement.

The document was presented to South Africa's Eastern Cape High Court as President Jacob Zuma reported that Mandela's health had faltered and cancelled a trip to Mozambique.

The next day Zuma reported that Mandela's condition had "improved during the course of the night".

"He is much better today than he was when I saw him last night. The medical team continues to do a sterling job," Zuma said in a statement dated June 27.

Since then the government has said Mandela's condition remains "critical but stable", but has provided few details, citing patient confidentiality.

Lawyers for Mandela's relatives, family members themselves and government officials were not immediately available for comment.