Archbishop Desmond likens Mandela's family feud to 'spitting on his face'

South African Archbishop Desmond Tutu has urged ailing Nelson Mandela's family members to end their squabble over the reburial of three of his children.

The feud over the reburial of Mandela's children is linked to the decision on where Mandela will eventually be buried, since he expressed his wish to rest alongside his family members.

Archbishop Tutu said that it's almost like spitting in Mandela's face and pleaded with the family not to tarnish his name.

South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe criticised the behaviour of Mandela's family and said that they should manage their affairs in a dignified manner.

Earlier, a certificate of urgency was filed in the court on behalf of Mandela's eldest daughter, Makaziwe, that said his health was perilous and he was assisted in breathing by a life-support machine.

BBC reports that President Jacob Zuma denied any such reports given by doctors. Zuma said Mandela was in a critical, but stable condition.

According to the report, a permanent vegetative state would only be made once the condition was considered irreversible.