Former President Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela of Republic of South Africa has been admitted in a hospital in the administrative capital Pretoria.

Johannesburg / NationalTurk – A statement from the government confirmed that the former president and icon of Africa was admitted in a hospital for the first time since February this year.

“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,” said spokesman Mac Maharaj in a statement.

Mr. Maharaj however insisted that there is no cause for alarm and that people should remain calm since the former President is in stable condition but failed to name the hospital he has been admitted to.

“As said before, former President Mandela will receive medical attention from time to time which is consistent with his age’’, Mr. Maharaj concluded in the statement.

Mandela 94 was admitted in hospital in February this year for a diagnostic procedure, which Lindiwe Sisulu, who was defence minister at that time later reveal that it was an investigative laparoscopy.

President Zuma wishes Mandela speedy recovery

“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 “, President Zuma said.

The Presidency also appealed to the media and the public to respect the privacy of Mandela and his family by not peddling unfounded rumours and unwarranted statement about the former President.

Last week a military plane crashed in the north-eastern part of the country near the place the former President of which many speculated that the plane was carrying health officers of Mr. Mandela.

But an official statement from the government denied the story that the crashed plane was carrying health personnel of Mr. Mandela and failed to give further details of the crash.

Issaka Adams/NationalTurk Africa News

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