Madiba update

Media outside Mandela hospital

Pretoria - Media were stationed outside a Pretoria hospital on Saturday morning after the presidency announced former President Nelson Mandela was admitted in a "serious but stable" condition.

Photographers and journalists were monitoring cars entering and exiting the hospital.

There was no security apart from normal hospital guard stationed outside the building.

Early on Saturday morning presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said Mandela was admitted due to a recurring lung infection.

"This morning at about 1.30am his condition deteriorated and he was transferred to a Pretoria hospital," Maharaj said in a statement.

"He remains in a serious but stable condition."

Maharaj said doctors were doing everything they could to make Mandela "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," Maharaj said.

On April 6, Mandela was discharged from hospital after spending nine days receiving treatment for recurring lung problems. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has suffered lung ailments before.