Nelson Mandela 'unresponsive and has not opened his eyes for days' as family 'discuss withdrawing medical treatment'

Nelson Mandela is unresponsive and his immediate family is now discussing whether to withdraw treatment, it has been claimed.

The 94-year-old has been in hospital for two weeks battling a recurring lung infection, but previous statements have indicated that Mr Mandela’s health is improving.

According to a new source, Mr Mandela’s liver and kidney functions are down to 50 per cent and he has not opened his eyes for days.

He has also had two recent procedures, one to repair a bleeding ulcer and another to insert a tube into his body, CBS News reports.

This information indicates that Mr Mandela’s situation is much more much more serious than has been reported by South African authorities.

In an interview last week, South African president Jacob Zuma said Mr Mandela was responding better to treatment.

Marking the 49th anniversary of the sentencing of the former president to life in prison in 1964, last Wednesday Mr Zuma said: ‘We are very happy with the progress that he is now making following a difficult last few days.’

However, details about the night Mandela arrived in hospital two weeks ago have emerged.

According to CBS News, Mandela went into cardiac arrest the night he was taken to Pretoria Hospital and had to be resuscitated.

As Mandela was driven to the hospital the ambulance suffered an engine failure and was forced to wait for over 40 minutes for a replacement.