JOHANNESBURG (AFP) - Doctors treating Nelson Mandela said that he was in a "permanent vegetative state" and advised his family to turn off his life support machine, according to court documents dated June 26, obtained by AFP on Thursday.

"He is in a permanent vegetative state and is assisted in breathing by a life support machine," said a legal filing related to a family dispute over reburying the remains of Mr Mandela's three children.

"The Mandela family have been advised by the medical practitioners that his life support machine should be switched off."