'Nelson Mandela is no longer able to speak'

Johannesburg - Former SA president Nelson Mandela is no longer able to speak and instead uses facial gestures to communicate.

According to his former wife, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, this is because of the tubes in his mouth that are used to keep fluid off his lungs, reported the Sunday Independent.

The 95-year-old statesman is being cared for at his Houghton house in Johannesburg and his bedroom has been transformed into an intensive care facility. He receives 24-hour care from 22 doctors.

Madikizela-Mandela described Madiba's condition as not critical but said he remained very susceptible to infection.

In June, Mandela took ill and spent almost three months in the Pretoria Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital. He was eventually discharged on 1 September and has since received medical treatment at home.