President Jacob Zuma on Wednesday sent good wishes to his former special advisér and spokesperson Mac Maharaj following complications which arose after he underwent an operation for lung cancer.

Maharaj was admitted to a Durban hospital last week Thursday, where he underwent surgery.

The presidency said the operation was successful, but complications arose in the “post operation conditions”.

A team of doctors and staff were working on stabilising Maharaj’s condition.

“We wish this veteran of our struggle all the best as he fights this new battle in his life,” Zuma said in a statement.

“We wish him strength and a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and the family.”

The presidency said updates on Maharaj’s condition would only be issued when there was significant change.

A few days before his operation Maharaj pleaded with the public to give him some time to recover before answering any further questions about his health.

Maharaj told Netwerk24 he was confident that the lung cancer he was diagnosed with was not a death sentence.

A source close to the Maharaj family said at the time: “He has early stage cancer on his lung and he has been undergoing surgery and treatment. I believe it is only stage one cancer.”

The presidency on Wednesday passed on the Maharaj’s family’s thanks to the public and the media for their support and also pleaded for “maximum privacy”. News24