The scene outside former president Nelson Mandela’s Johannesburg home was quiet on Tuesday morning, as the ailing icon entered his fourth day in a Pretoria hospital.
Several journalists milled around on the street corner opposite the Houghton house drinking coffee and talking among themselves, with portable broadcasting equipment and cameras nearby.
Johannesburg metro police officers, with two cars posted up the street, told journalists to park on the outside lawns of nearby houses instead of on the road.
Curious members of the public slowed down to survey the scene as they drove past.
Local and international media also continued to camp outside the Pretoria hospital where Mandela was believed to have been admitted.
Security at the facility had been tightened as police officers were called in to man the two entrances.
The main entrance to the hospital in Arcadia was guarded by several police officers.
All vehicles entering the facility were checked and searched.
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.
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”.
“President Jacob Zuma reiterates his call for South Africa to pray for Madiba and the family during this time.”
Presidency spokesman Mac Maharaj said Mandela was receiving intensive care.
African National Congress MP and Mandela’s ex-wife Winnie Madikizela-Mandela had been at the hospital on Monday.
This is the third time this year the Nobel Peace Prize laureate has been in hospital.
At the end of March and in April this year he spent nine days in hospital receiving treatment for recurring lung problems.
Earlier in March, he was admitted to a Pretoria hospital for a scheduled check-up and discharged the following day. – Sapa