PANAPRESS
Panafrican News Agency
ANC slammed over Mandela footage
Cape Town, South Africa (PANA) - South Africa’s ruling African National Congress (ANC) has been heavily criticised after the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) showed footage of President Jacob Zuma and other party leaders visiting a frail Nelson Mandela at his Johannsburg home on Monday.
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu had released a statement shortly after the visit, saying "officials are satisfied that president Mandela is in good health and is receiving the very best medical care".
But television viewers disagreed and have reacted with outrage, taking to social media and other platforms to vent their fury.
“Our icon is slowly fading away with age and the government tries to cover up his frail condition,” said DJ Shawny B on his Twitter account.
The official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) Parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said the SABC should be “utterly ashamed” for broadcasting Mandela in such poor health.
On Tuesday, Mthembu responded to the criticism by saying those who are complaining the visit was a publicity stunt by the ANC “are eating sour “.
“We are happy we shared Madiba (Mandela’s clan name) with the world, even in his frail state,” THE ANC spokesman said.
Earlier this month, the global statesman was discharged from a Pretoria hospital after undergoing five weeks of intensive treatment to address an ongoing lung infection and pneumonia.
-0- PANA CU/SEG 30April2013
ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu had released a statement shortly after the visit, saying "officials are satisfied that president Mandela is in good health and is receiving the very best medical care".
But television viewers disagreed and have reacted with outrage, taking to social media and other platforms to vent their fury.
“Our icon is slowly fading away with age and the government tries to cover up his frail condition,” said DJ Shawny B on his Twitter account.
The official opposition Democratic Alliance (DA) Parliamentary leader Lindiwe Mazibuko said the SABC should be “utterly ashamed” for broadcasting Mandela in such poor health.
On Tuesday, Mthembu responded to the criticism by saying those who are complaining the visit was a publicity stunt by the ANC “are eating sour “.
“We are happy we shared Madiba (Mandela’s clan name) with the world, even in his frail state,” THE ANC spokesman said.
Earlier this month, the global statesman was discharged from a Pretoria hospital after undergoing five weeks of intensive treatment to address an ongoing lung infection and pneumonia.
-0- PANA CU/SEG 30April2013
