Mandela's physicians detect abnormality in his prostate

Michael Plit, one of Mandela's doctors, told a press conference that while they were unsure of the prognosis, "the abnormality was not a threat to the former president's life and that it would in no way affect his planned engagements.

Further tests would be undertaken and the results would be known soon, Plit said, adding that only once the results were known they would they decide on a course of action, the SAPA news agency reported.

Mandela, who joked throughout the press conference at his office in Sandton, said he felt fine and that he would be leaving for Arusha in Tanzania on Sunday to continue his task as mediator in the Burundi conflict. dpa dl ms

(dpa)