Smanga Kumalo — Former president Nelson Mandela was admitted to a Pretoria hospital for medical tests on Saturday.
The presidency spokesperson Mac Maharaj said in a statement “President Jacob Zuma wishes to advise that former President Nelson Mandela has today, 8 December 2012, been admitted in hospital in Pretoria to undergo tests,”
The hospital was not named.
This happens just short of a year since his last known hospital visit. Maharaj insisted that there was no cause for concern.
He added: “As said before, former President Mandela will receive medical attention from time to time which is consistent with his age.”
Mandela was admitted to hospital in February this year for a diagnostic procedure, which Lindiwe Sisulu, who was defence minister at the time, later said was “an investigative laparoscopy”.
“President Zuma assures all that Madiba is doing well and there is no cause for alarm,” Maharaj said.
Zuma said: “We wish Madiba all the best. The medical team is assured of our support as they look after and ensure the comfort of our beloved founding President of a free and democratic South Africa.”
The Presidency appealed to the media and the public to respect the privacy of Mandela and his family.
In February, the Presidency sent regular updates on his condition, but did
In February, the Presidency sent regular updates on his condition, but did not say in which hospital he was being treated, probably as a result of a media frenzy outside Milpark hospital in Johannesburg the year before.
