Mandela stranded on highway for 40 minutes when ambulance broke down: report

The ambulance transporting former president Nelson Mandela to hospital two weeks ago broke down on the highway between Johannesburg and Pretoria, according to a report.

US television channel CBS is reporting on Saturday that a very ill Madiba was left waiting on the side of the highway for over 40 minutes.

A second ambulance was sent to pick up the ailing statesman.

Government has reportedly confirmed the ambulance's engine failed, but said great care was taken to ensure Mandela’s health was not compromised.

CBS is also reporting that Mandela's health is not as strong as South Africans have been led to believe.

It published several details it said were at odds with what government and politicians said about Madiba's condition.

It claims the former president went into cardiac arrest and had to be resuscitated the night he was taken to hospital.

Mandela's liver and kidneys are believed to be functioning at 50% and the report further added he has not opened his eyes in days.

He is also apparently unresponsive.

The Presidency, President Jacob Zuma and former president Thabo Mbeki all said Madiba’s condition was improving.