The South African government late Thursday denied that former president Nelson Mandela is in a permanent vegetative state.

"We confirm our earlier statement released this afternoon after President Jacob Zuma visited Madiba in hospital that Madiba remains in a critical, but stable condition," said the statement using Mandela's clan name.

"The doctors deny that the former president is in a vegetative state," the statement added.

Documents obtained earlier by AFP showed doctors treating Mandela said he was in a "permanent vegetative state" and advised his family to turn off his life support machine a week ago.

"He is in a permanent vegetative state and is assisted in breathing by a life support machine," lawyers said on behalf of 15 family members including his wife and three daughters.

AFP