Nelson Mandela was admitted into hospital around midnight last night for a lung infection. His spokesperson has confirmed that the former president is “conscious.”

This from SKY News:

The former president of South Africa, Nelson Mandela, has been taken back to hospital suffering from a lung infection.

President Jacob Zuma confirmed that the 94-year-old was readmitted just before midnight on Wednesday and said: ” We appeal to the people of South Africa and the world to pray for our beloved Madiba and his family and to keep them in their thoughts.

“We have full confidence in the medical team and know that they will do everything possible to ensure recovery.”

Mr Mandela’s spokesman Mac Maharaj told Sky News that the former president was “conscious”.

He said: “At the moment doctors are saying it is a recurrence of an old lung infection. It is a matter of concern … He was admitted around midnight last night.

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