Nelson Mandela was scheduled for a medical operation, but all hell broke loose. The National Party was quietly plotting to smuggle Mandela out of the country, possibly hoping that he would escape, while the ANC was scoring points by casting doubt on the medical services that white doctors like Laubscher was willing to provide to the political prisoners. Meanwhile, in most ironic of twists, the security police was taking desperate measures to ensure Mandela's safety – the country could simply not afford an assassination attempt.