Johannesburg – Police officers were manning the entrance to a Pretoria hospital on Tuesday where former president Nelson Mandela is believed to have been admitted for a recurring lung infection.

The main entrance to the hospital in Arcadia was guarded by six police officers.

All vehicles entering the facility were checked and searched.

Despite the biting cold in Pretoria local and international journalists were monitoring events at the two entrances.

Barricades were erected at the spot where journalists had been camping on Monday forcing the press to move across the street.

Police tape was used to cordon off the area.

The ailing statesman will spend his fourth day in hospital.

Mandela was admitted to hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning.

The presidency at the time said he was in a “serious but stable” condition.

On Monday, the presidency said Mandela’s condition was “unchanged”.

Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said Mandela was receiving intensive care.

“President Jacob Zuma reiterates his call for South Africa to pray for Madiba and the family during this time.”

African National Congress MP and Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had been at the hospital on Monday. – Sapa