The health of former president of South Africa, now 94 years old, is deteriorating as of late. Mandela has been suffering from a recurring lung infection for years.

President Jacob Zuma, who paid a visit to the hospital in the evening of June 23, has been briefed by the doctors about Mandela's current state. Zuma and his companions, presidential spokesperson Mac Maharaj and African National Congress deputy leader Cyril Ramaphosa, learned that the first South African president's "condition had become critical over the past 24 hours," as the former's statement reads.

The word critical was "sufficient explanation that should raise concern amongst us," pointed out by Maharaj in a statement quoted by BBC's Newshour.

"The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba (Mandela's clan name) is well-looked after and is comfortable," Zuma added.

Other reports claimed that the anti-apartheid icon suffered from cardiac arrest. But Zuma corrected the false news by saying that "there is no truth at all in that report."

Health problems in relation to his lung condition have brought Mandela in and out of the hospital. For instance, since last December, Mandela has already made four visits to the medical institution.

Mandela earned respect and admiration from the people because he bravely fought to end the legacy of the apartheid in South Africa.

He remained behind bars for 27 years due to charges of sabotage and conspiracy to oust the government.

The anti-apartheid icon was believed to have suffered from health issues, particularly damages in his lungs, at the time he was working in a prison quarry.