South Africa's Mandela in hospital for 'medical attention'

"Former President Nelson Mandela has today, December 8 2012, been admitted in hospital in Pretoria to undergo tests," President Jacob Zuma's office said in a statement.

The 94-year-old anti-apartheid leader "is doing well and there is no cause for alarm," the statement added.

"As said before, former President Mandela will receive medical attention from time to time which is consistent with his age," presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj was quoted as saying by News24.

In January 2011, the Nobel laureate was treated for a serious chest infection. A year later, he underwent a diagnostic procedure for an abdominal problem.

Mandela spent over two decades in prison under the white minority apartheid regime.

He become South Africa's first black president in 1994. PTI

DDC