Gov't clarifies Mandela's ambulance incident

JOHANNESBURG (AP):The South African government has moved to allay fears that former president Nelson Mandela was harmed when an ambulance carrying the 94-year-old to a hospital two weeks ago had engine trouble.

Mandela was transferred to another ambulance for his journey to the hospital, the South African government said yesterday.

According to the government, care was taken to ensure the condition of the former president was not affected.

The anti-apartheid leader remains in serious but stable condition in a hospital, according to the office of President Jacob Zuma.

The government confirmed reports about transport problems when the former leader was taken to the hospital for what officials have said is a recurring lung infection. CBS News reported that Mandela had to be transferred, in wintertime temperatures, to another ambulance in the early morning of June 8 after waiting on the side of the highway for 40 minutes.

'no harm' done

The government said in a statement that doctors are satisfied that the Nobel Peace Prize laureate suffered "no harm" at the time.

"The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff, including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The convoy also included two quick response vehicles," the presidency said.

"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 statement added: "All care was taken to ensure that former president Mandela's medical condition was not compromised by the unforeseen incident."

In recent days, reports from the government, former President Thabo Mbeki and a grandson of Mandela have indicated that the health of Mandela is improving, although he has been in the hospital for treatment several times in recent months.