"The condition of former President Nelson Mandela, who is still in hospital in Pretoria, has become critical," said the Presidency in a statement on Sunday night.
It said President Jacob Zuma, accompanied by ANC Deputy President, Cyril Ramaphosa, had visited Madiba in hospital earlier on the evening where they were briefed by the medical team.
The team informed them that the former President's condition had become critical over the past 24 hours.
The President and Ramaphosa also met with Graca Machel at the hospital and discussed Madiba's condition.
Zuma said: "The doctors are doing everything possible to get his condition to improve and are ensuring that Madiba is well-looked after and is comfortable. He is in good hands."
The President appealed to the nation and the world to pray for Madiba, the family and the medical team that is attending to him during this difficult time.
Zuma and Ramaphosa were assured by the doctors that when the ambulance transporting former President Mandela to hospital on the 8th of June developed engine problems, all care was taken to ensure that his medical condition was not compromised.
"There were seven doctors in the convoy who were in full control of the situation throughout the period. He had expert medical care. The fully equipped military ICU ambulance had a full complement of specialist medical staff including intensive care specialists and ICU nurses. The doctors also dismissed the media reports that Madiba suffered cardiac arrest. There is no truth at all in that report," said Zuma.
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