This emerged in court when his legal team made an application to have the rape accused’s bail conditions relaxed.
Advocate Marinda Veldsman, on behalf of Mandela, went back to Johannesburg magistrate Pieter du Plessis a day after the 24-year-old was given R7000 bail.
Veldsman presented a letter from Dr Jan Tshabalala who has recommended that Mandela be treated for psychological trauma in hospital. Mandela was absent during the proceedings and his lawyer said he was already being treated in hospital.
The magistrate granted the relaxation of the bail conditions and ordered that Mandela be sent to One Military Hospital from August 26 to September 4.
Du Plessis also ordered that Mandela not be allowed to leave the hospital during his stay while receiving medical attention.
“He must remain a patient and resident at One Military Hospital while he prepares to attend to his case,” Du Plessis ordered.
But he said the relaxation of the bail conditions would cease when Mandela came back to court on September 4.
A statement by investigating officer Lieutenant Dithomo Mmako of Hillbrow police station said: “There is information that the accused is suicidal and if he succeeds [to take his own life], the court proceedings will be jeopardised and trial will not proceed.”
Mandela was released on R7000 bail on Tuesday and as part of his bail conditions he was ordered to:
Not to interfere or have direct or indirect contact with the witnesses;
Hand over his travel documents to the investigating officer;
Report twice a day at Norwood SAPS on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays; and
Leave Gauteng only with a written request to the investigating officer stating valid reasons and obtain written permission.
NPA spokeswoman Phindi Louw said: “I hereby confirm that the accused made an application to have his bail conditions relaxed and due to ill health new arrangements were made for him to report at Lyttelton police station as he is apparently hospitalised in Pretoria.
“However, a final ruling about his bail conditions will be heard on September 4.”
