Former president Nelson Mandela’s eldest daughter Zenani Mandela-Dlamini arrived at the Pretoria hospital on Wednesday where the elderly statesman is believed to be receiving treatment.
Her black Mercedes-Benz entered the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital before 11am. She stopped briefly and talked to police officers at the entrance on Park Street in Arcadia.
Mandela-Dlamini, who is South Africa’s ambassador to Argentina, arrived home this week following her father’s admission. The ailing icon was spending his fifth day in hospital.
On Saturday, the presidency announced that Mandela had been admitted to hospital in the early hours of the morning and was in a “serious but stable” condition. His condition has remained unchanged since then.
The presidency said on Tuesday that the doctors treating Mandela gave President Jacob Zuma a thorough briefing on Monday night.
“President Zuma has full confidence in the medical team, and is satisfied that they are doing their best to make Madiba better,” spokesman Mac Maharaj said in a statement.
Mandela was still in a “serious but stable” condition. Police had taken over security at the hospital. Seven officers were guarding the facility’s entrance. Pedestrians’ bags and vehicles entering the premises were searched.
Local and international media continued to hold vigil outside the hospital and Mandela’s Houghton, Johannesburg, home.
This is the third time this year the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been hospitalised.
At the end of March and in April he spent nine days in hospital receiving treatment for recurring lung problems. Earlier in March, he was admitted to a Pretoria hospital for a scheduled check-up and was discharged the following day. – Sapa
