International news agencies have set up cameras outside former president Nelson Mandela's Eastern Cape home, for as long as six years, according to a report on Thursday.
 
The Times newspaper quoted Chieftainess Nokwanele Balizulu, who lives directly opposite Mandela's home in Qunu, confirming that she had given permission for CCTV cameras to be installed at her house.
 
"I agreed to having those cameras there, but I'm not going to say anything else," she said.
 
The daily said there had been at least three cameras for as long as six years on her property, which belong to the US-based Associated Press and UK news agency Reuters.
 
AP spokesman Paul Colford told The Times: "They are not surveillance cameras. Along with other media, the AP has preparedness around Mr Mandela's eventual passing.
 
"The AP cameras were not switched on and would only be used in the event of a major news story involving the former president."
 
The Times said Reuters's Southern Africa bureau chief referred queries to its London office. -Sapa