Nelson Mandela spends fourth day in ICU in serious, stable condition

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, June 12 (UPI) —

South Africa’s Nelson Mandela, 94, spent a fourth day in intensive care for treatment of a lung infection, his condition serious but stable, officials said.

Mandela, the country’s first black president and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, was taken to the hospital Saturday.

Mac Maharag, President Jacob Zuma’s spokesman, said Mandela’s condition remained unchanged since then.

Mandela has been in hospitals several times in recent years. He hasn’t appeared in public since South Africa hosted the World Cup in 2010.

Well-wishers gathered at churches and monuments to the former president to pray for his recovery, The New York Times reported Wednesday.