In what represents an ominous sign, members of the family of ailing global statesman Nelson Mandela family maintained sealed lips after their crucial meeting yesterday afternoon in connection with the near-death condition of the family patriarch.

The meeting held at the Mandela family’s Qunu home in the Eastern Cape, was attended by amongst others, Mandela’s daughters, grandchildren, Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu and UDM leader Bantu Holomisa.

“The meeting lasted for about three hours,” reports the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC). It said that just after 1pm, “an entourage of about five vehicles left the home before the media could speak to the guests.” Family members earlier took a private jet to Mthatha Airport to attend the meeting, according to SABC.
The station also reports that “increasing numbers of Tshwane Metro Police officers” are being deployed at the Pretoria hospital where Madiba (Mandela) spent his 18th night yesterday.
“As news about Mandela’s unchanged condition was made public, more and more people are flocking to the hospital,” the SABC reports. “The Tshwane Metro Police have deployed more than 10 officers to control the crowd that has formed at the entrance.
“They have also closed off the ends of the street. The media contingent has also grown rapidly over the past two days. Traffic is being affected in the street next to the hospital, where the media has camped out.”

•Photo: Mandela.