The South African government Saturday refuted media reports that former president Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital.
"Madiba (Mandela's clan name) is still in hospital in Pretoria, and remains in a critical but stable condition," Xinhua quoted presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj as saying.
"The presidency has noted incorrect media reports that former president Nelson Mandela has been discharged from hospital," Maharaj said.
"At times his condition becomes unstable, but he responds to medical interventions," said Maharaj.
Since Mandela was rushed to a Pretoria hospital June 8 for a recurring lung infection, the presidency has declared his condition as critical but stable.
Last Saturday, presidential spokesman Maharaj said Mandela, 95, was in an unstable condition at times but demonstrated great resilience.
The Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been suffering from a recurring lung infection, which is the result of tuberculosis developed when he was imprisoned during the apartheid period.
