Nelson Mandela down with pneumonia

Nelson Mandela was expected to spend a fourth day in hospital in South Africa today recovering from pneumonia.Doctors in Pretoria removed pleural fluid from his lungs yesterday to ease his breathing, but worries continue for the health of the frail 94-year-old.The former South African president suffers from a recurring lung condition as the result of tuberculosis contracted during his 27 years’ imprisonment on Robben Island by the apartheid government.Mr Mandela spent 18 days in hospital over the Christmas period with a respiratory infection, and also had gallstones removed. He has spent three periods in hospital over the past four months.Yesterday, South African presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said that Mr Mandela was ‘responding well and is in good spirits’. He said fluid had been tapped from his lungs and that he would remain under observation.The president's office thanked all who have prayed for Mr Mandela and his family and have sent messages of support.