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CNN: Mandela On Life Support And Responsive

07.05.13 | 3:22 am

Former South African President Nelson Mandela reacts at the Mandela foundation, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday June 2, 2009, during a meeting with a group of American and South African students as part of a s... Former South African President Nelson Mandela reacts at the Mandela foundation, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tuesday June 2, 2009, during a meeting with a group of American and South African students as part of a series of activities leading to Mandela Day on July 18th. MORE LESS

Agence France-Presse reported Thursday that court documents dated June 26 showed Mandela was “in a permanent vegetative state and is assisted in breathing by a life support machine” and that doctors had advised his family to take him off life support. Mac Maharaj, a spokesman for the South African presidency, declined to comment on those court documents.

“We have indicated from our point of view that based on the doctors’ report the condition of the former president is critical but stable at this stage,” Maharaj said.

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Hunter Walker is an investigative reporter for Talking Points Memo. He is an author and former White House correspondent whose work has appeared in a variety of publications including the New Yorker, Rolling Stone, and New York Magazine. He can be reached at hunter@talkingpointsmemo.com

CNN: Mandela On Life Support And Responsive

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