Mandela in 'serious but stable condition'

Former South African president and anti-apartheid icon back in hospital after suffering recurrence of lung infection.

Mandela's condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a Pretoria hospital in the early hours of Friday [AFP]

Former South African president and anti-apartheid icon Nelson Mandela is in a "serious but stable" conditon in hospital with a lung infection, a statement from the presidency has said. Friday's statement said Mandela, 94, who was discharged from hospital in April after receiving treatment for a lung infection, had suffered the same illness in the past few days. "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 statement said. It added that the Nobel laureate was receiving expert medical care and doctors were doing "everything possible to make him better and comfortable". President Jacob Zuma, on behalf of government and the nation, wished Madiba, Mandela's clan name, a speedy recovery and requested the media and the public respect the privacy of the former president and his family.