Nelson Mandela in the hospital for lung infection, in serious condition

Former South African President Nelson Mandela is back in the hospital for a lung infection. It is the fourth time since December that the 94-year-old has been admitted to the hospital.

In a statement posted on his official website, current South African President Jacob Zuma said that Mandela had a “recurrence” of a lung infection. He was hospitalized at 1:30 a.m. and is being treated in the capital of Pretoria. The statement says that Mandela is in “serious but stable condition.”

“The former President is receiving expert medical care and doctors are doing everything possible to make him better and comfortable,” the statement reads.

Zuma, as he has in previous statements, offered his thoughts and prayers and asked the media to give the Mandela family privacy.

Mac Maharaj, a presidential spokesman, told Bloomberg by phone that the infection “affects his breathing. The doctors are saying it’s serious but he’s stable. He’s able to breathe on his own.”

According to The Associated Press, the African National Congress, which has dominated the country’s politics since apartheid ended, issued its own statement, wishing for a speedy recovery.

“We will keep President Mandela and his family in our thoughts and prayers at this time and call upon South Africans and the peoples of the globe to do the same for our beloved statesman and icon, Madiba,” the ANC said.

Mandela was last hospitlaized on March 27 and was treated for a week.

Menadela has not made a public appearance sicne 2010. The Nobel leaurueate had been imprisoned for 27 years during apartheid and during that time, he contracted tuberculosis.

State television recently aired footage of Zuma meeting with Mandela in Johannesburg. While Zuma said he was doing well, Mandela was unresponsive and did not speak, notes the AP.

image: WikiMedia Commons

WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on your website.

Learn more about debugging in WordPress.