Nelson Mandela in 'serious but stable' condition

Nelson Mandela, the South African former president, is back in hospital where he is being treated for a recurrence of a long infection and in a "serious but stable" condition.

Nelson Mandela, seen in April Photo: AP

By Chris Irvine

7:39AM BST 08 Jun 2013

The 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader has been in and out of hospital several times in the last few months.

A statement from the office of current president Jacob Zuma said: "During the past few days, former President Nelson Mandela has had a recurrence of lung infection.

"This morning at about 1.30am, his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a Pretoria hospital. He remains in a serious but stable condition.

"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 [Mr Mandela's clan name] a speedy recovery and requests the media and the public to respect the privacy of Madiba and his family."

Mr Zuma wished Mr Mandela a quick recovery on behalf of the government and the nation and requested that the media and the public respect the privacy of the former leader and his family, the statement said.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate, who was imprisoned for 27 years by the racist white regime, became the first democratically elected president of South Africa in 1994.
He was last seen in April, looking frail, unsmiling and dazed. The South African government came under criticism for the images, aired by the public broadcaster SABC, showing him sitting upright on a couch, with his legs covered in a blanket.
He had only returned home on April 6 after 10 days of being treated in hospital for a recurrent lung infection.