"As he remains in a critical condition in hospital, we must keep him and the family in our thoughts and prayers every minute," Zuma said at the National Education, Health and Allied Workers' Union (Nehawu) conference in Boksburg, east of Johannesburg.

　　

　　This was the fourth time that Zuma said Mandela was in a critical condition. He first announced that Mandela's condition "has become critical" on Sunday evening. On different occasions on Monday and Tuesday, Zuma said Mandela's condition remained unchanged.

　　

　　Mandela has been hospitalized for a recurring lung infection since June 8.

　　

　　This is the fourth admission and one of Mandela's longest hospital stays since December last year.

　　

　　Despite intensive treatment at Pretoria's Mediclinic Heart Hospital, the 94-year-old's condition appears to have suddenly deteriorated in recent days.