Doctors say there has been little change in the condition of the 94-year-old leader, and he continues to be in a serious but stable state.
Mandela was yesterday rushed to a Pretoria hospital, after his health took a turn for the worse at his Johannesburg home, where he was recovering from a lung infection after being released from hospital on April 6.
This is Mandela's third hospital visit in seven months.
"I questioned the doctors. I said how is he? They said: Look, yes, he is able to breathe on his own. Be concerned, but don't be hysterical about it. Also don't tell the public that he is getting better," the Sunday Times quoted Maharaj as saying.
Also Read
International concern around the latest hospital stay of the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, who will turn 95 next month, is being tempered by a statement from his long-time friend and associate Andrew Mlangeni, saying "God must have his own way".
Mandela's wife Graca Machel cancelled a trip to London to address the World Hunger Summit, to be at her husband's bedside.