Former minister of public enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, has been admitted to hospital, his family said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
“The family of the former minister of public enterprises, Mr Pravin Gordhan, would like to inform the media and the public that he has been admitted to hospital.
“Mr Gordhan is receiving the best available medical care. The family has requested privacy during this difficult time.
“Further updates on his condition will be provided,” the statement read.
Gordhan entered South African politics during the height of the Struggle against apartheid and announced his retirement from politics in May this year.
As public enterprises minister, in August last year, Gordhan cited ill health as his reason for not attending a meeting in Parliament to respond to SAA sale allegations.
The committee on public enterprises recommended an investigation by the Special Investigating Unit into the collapsed SAA-Takatso deal due to allegations of irregularities suspected when the deal was being negotiated.
In his letter, Gordhan said he was unable to attend because of ill health.
“I have been advised this evening not to travel by air by a specialist doctor. I therefore request the committee to provide me with an alternative date to enable me to respond to the allegations,” he wrote.
Gordhan also previously served as the deputy commissioner of the South African Revenue Service (Sars) from 1998 to 1999 and was appointed as the commissioner of Sars in 1999.