Nelson Mandela is in critical condition but still alive, contrary to many reports floating around on the Internet, according to ABC News. His condition has become more critical over the last 24 hours, however, according to the office of Jacob Zuma, the current president of South Africa.
The former president of South Africa is battling lung cancer, and his condition worsened on Sunday, according to a statement from Mandela's office.
"The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Mandiba is well-looked after and is comfortable," Jacob Zuma, said in the statement. "He is in good hands."
Mandela entered the hospital on June 8 and has been listed as being in "serious but stable condition." Zuma restated that Mandela's health wasn't compromised during the June 8 ambulance ride, which broke down en route to the hospital.
"There were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period," Zuma said. "He had expert medical care.
"The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses," Zuma continued. "The doctors also dismissed the media reports that Mandiba suffered cardiac arrest.
"There is no truth at all in that report," Zuma said. Mandela and the medical staff waited for a second ambulance.
"When the ambulance experienced engine problems it was decided that it would be best to transfer to another military ambulance which itself was accompanied for the rest of the journey by a civilian ambulance," the president's office said in a statement on Saturday.
The news that Mandela's health is worsening comes after a week of media reports that his health was improving after former South African president Thabo Mbeki suggested that Mandela was getting better.
"Nelson Mandela is improving in terms of his health," Mbeki told a South African radio station. "I don't think anyone should entertain some sort of wrong notion that Nelson Mandela is about to die tomorrow.
"He's not going to," Mbeki continued.
Mandela's daughter also told reporters he was doing better.
In the meantime, it's best to wait for medical professionals to provide information. Mandela was the first black president of South Africa, serving from 1994 to 1999. In 1993, he was awarded a Nobel Peace Prize for his work towards ending apartheid through peaceful means.
Other recent victims of celebrity death hoaxes include Justin Bieber, Justin Timberlake, Angelina Jolie, Kristen Stewart, Hillary Clinton, Paula Deen and Bill Cosby.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
