Bizos to undergo surgery

2009-06-01 08:27

Johannesburg - Human rights lawyer George Bizos will undergo surgery at Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg this week, The Star newspaper reported on Monday.

His son, Damon Bizos, said he would undergo an operation on Tuesday to relieve fluids around his brain, a condition caused by medication he took.

He said his 80-year-old father had a "subdural haematoma", a form of traumatic brain injury where blood gathers in the outer protective covering of the brain.

"He is fine and is managed by a neurosurgeon at the hospital," said his son. "We're waiting for the effect of the medication to wear off before he can be operated on."

Bizos was admitted to hospital last week.

He made his name as a human rights lawyer during the apartheid era. He defended Nelson Mandela, Govan Mbeki and Walter Sisulu in the Rivonia Treason trial.

Although now retired, he is a presidential appointee to the Judicial Service Commission.

- SAPA