Nelson Mandela's condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a Pretoria hospital.

Nelson Mandela taken to hospital in 'serious' condition

© AFP

Former South African president Nelson Mandela is in a “serious but stable” condition after being admitted to a Pretoria hospital on Saturday due to a recurrence of a lung infection, the country’s government has said.

By News Wires (text)

Nelson Mandela was readmitted to hospital early on Saturday with a renewed lung infection and was in "serious but stable condition," South Africa's presidency said, marking the second hospital stay in as many months for the ailing anti-apartheid icon. "During the past few days former president Nelson Mandela has had a recurrence of lung infection," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement. "This morning at about 1:30 am (2330 GMT Friday) his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a Pretoria hospital. He remains in a serious but stable condition," it said. It marks the second hospitalisation in as many months for the frail anti-apartheid hero, who will turn 95 in July. On April 6 he was released after being treated for pneumonia during a 10-day stay. The Nobel Peace Prize winner has stayed in hospital four times in just over half a year, mostly over problems with his chest. In December 2012, he was hospitalised for 18 days for a lung infection and for gallstones surgery, his longest stay in hospital since he walked free from 27 years in jail in 1990. In March he was admitted for a day for a scheduled check-up and during his 10-day stay weeks later, doctors drained a build-up of fluid, known as a pleural effusion or "water on the lungs", that had developed in his chest. Zuma's office said on Saturday that "the former President is receiving expert medical care and doctors are doing everything possible to make him better and comfortable." "President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of government and the nation, wishes Madiba a speedy recovery and requests the media and the public to respect the privacy of Madiba and his family."

Related articles

• Nelson Mandela in 'serious but stable' condition (telegraph.co.uk)
• Nelson Mandela returns to hospital in 'serious but stable' condition (thetimes.co.uk)
• Nelson Mandela in 'serious but stable' condition in hospital (metro.co.uk)
• Nelson Mandela back in hospital after recurrence of lung infection, president's office said - @CNN (cnn.com)
• Nelson Mandela back in hospital (bbc.co.uk)