Former South African President Nelson Mandela spent his 16th day in hospital on Sunday amid growing concern over his condition of health.

The South African Presidency issued an update on Saturday, saying that Mandela "remains in a serious but stable condition".

The latest update came after Mandela's grandson Ndaba Mandela was quoted by The Star newspaper as saying on Friday that the ailing former statesman was expected to be discharged "soon".

"We appeal again that his privacy be respected and that he be accorded the doctor-patient confidentiality that all patients are entitled to in terms of medical ethics," the presidential spokesman Mac Maharaj said.

He confirmed that the military ambulance that transported Mandela to hospital two weeks ago broke down due to "engine problems".

"All care was taken to ensure that Madiba's medical condition was not compromised by the unforeseen incident," said Maharaj.

"Doctors attending to Madiba are satisfied that the former president suffered no harm during this period," said Maharaj.

Due to a possible deterioration in Mandela's condition, Mandela's wife Graca Machel has been sleeping in a room next to Mandela's at the hospital every night, according to the Sunday Times.

Numerous relatives of Mandela have been seen visiting the hospital. These included Mandela's ex-wife, ANC MP Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and his two daughters Zindzi Mandela-Motlhajwa and Mandela Makaziwe.

The government has given sketchy but positive news about Mandela's condition. On June 16, Presdient Jacob Zuma said Mandela "continues to get better".

"Over the last two days, although he remains serious, his doctors have stated that his improvement has been sustained," Zuma said.

Yet the lack of official information gave way to speculations and raised concern about Mandela's health.

Nelson Mandela has not given response for days, local TV channel ENCA reported on Sunday.

According to the report of News24 on Sunday, citing an unknown source, the former president of South Africa has not "opened his eyes in days", and "his liver and kidneys were only functioning at 50%."

In response to the speculations, Maharaj said the presidency has been the "source for authoritative reporting on Mandela's health".

"Our reports are based on the reports we receive from doctors. We avoid clinical details because we want to ensure no transgression into the privacy of Mandela and his family is ensured," Maharaj said.

"The presidency needs to ensure the dignity of the former president and need to ensure the circumstances are not surrounded by undignified speculative reports," Maharaj said.

The ruling African National Congress (ANC) also defended what the government has done regarding to informing the public about Mandela's condition.

The Presidency has been consistent in keeping South Africa and the world informed of the health condition of Mandela, the ANC said on Saturday.

"The presidency has been consistent and reliable in ensuring that the nation and the world is kept informed on developments relating to our beloved statement and icon, Comrade Nelson Mandela, " ANC national spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said.

He the said that the ANC thanked the public for their support and for keeping the Mandela family in their thoughts and prayers.

The ANC "once again calls upon all concerned parties including the media to afford president Mandela and his family respect and privacy during this difficult time," he said.

This is the fourth time Mandela was admitted to hospital since December last year due to a recurring lung problem which was the result of tuberculoisis developed when he served prison terms under the apartheid rule. 

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