Former South Africa President Nelson Mandela has been taken to hospital, BBC reported.
Officials said he was suffering from a "long-standing abdominal complaint" which doctors felt needed "proper specialist medical attention".
The 93-year-old statesman has suffered declining health in recent years.
South African President Jacob Zuma's office said the "love and good wishes of all South Africans and people throughout the world" were with him.
He asked for Mr Mandela and his family to be given privacy.
Mr Mandela retired from public life eight years ago and now rarely makes public appearances.