Nelson Mandela was reported in critical but stable condition yesterday as a close friend denied there was any plan to remove the South African anti-apartheid leader from life support.

Denis Goldberg, an activist who has been close to Mandela, 94, for more than half a century, said his doctors were opposed to pulling the plug.

“I was told the matter had been raised and the doctors said they would only consider such a situation if there was a genuine state of organ failure,” Goldberg said.

He said he visited Mandela Monday and that Mandela was conscious and responsive: “The lawyers can say what they like. I’m telling you what I saw.”