News / Africa
'I wish Nelson Mandela would die'
08 Apr 2013 at 01:52hrs | Views
According to a report on Monday, University of the Free State Vice-Chancellor Professor Jonathan Jansen at the weekend said, he wishes Madiba would die.
"Don't you also wish he would die?" Jansen asked a group of about 250 students gathered on the campus for a leadership summit on Sunday.
Beeld newspaper reported that the students were noticeably shocked when they heard the question.
"Every time we hear he's in hospital, everyone thinks, this is it, he's going to die this time. Big Mac (Maharaj, presidential spokesman) is lying when he says Madiba is in for check-ups. When you are 94, you go to hospital to die; not for routine tests," Jansen said.
Approached for comment on Sunday evening, his spokeswoman, Lacea Loader, said he meant to say that former president Nelson Mandela should be left to die in peace.
Mandela was discharged on Saturday after being admitted to a Pretoria hospital on Tuesday to receive treatment for a lung condition.
Beeld reported that Maharaj was angry when asked for comment.
"I'll think about it carefully. I need to give the matter careful consideration before I comment," said Maharaj.
"Don't you also wish he would die?" Jansen asked a group of about 250 students gathered on the campus for a leadership summit on Sunday.
Beeld newspaper reported that the students were noticeably shocked when they heard the question.
"Every time we hear he's in hospital, everyone thinks, this is it, he's going to die this time. Big Mac (Maharaj, presidential spokesman) is lying when he says Madiba is in for check-ups. When you are 94, you go to hospital to die; not for routine tests," Jansen said.
Mandela was discharged on Saturday after being admitted to a Pretoria hospital on Tuesday to receive treatment for a lung condition.
Beeld reported that Maharaj was angry when asked for comment.
"I'll think about it carefully. I need to give the matter careful consideration before I comment," said Maharaj.
Source - Sapa
