SAfrica govt says Mbeki in good health after tests

JOHANNESBURG, Sep 1 (Reuters) South African President Thabo Mbeki underwent medical tests at a hospital this week after suffering a bout of the flu, but he is in good health and expected to return to work shortly, officials said.

Mbeki, 64, cancelled an appearance in Parliament in Cape Town on Wednesday after complaining of flu-like symptoms. He underwent an angiogram and other medical tests at the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital in Pretoria yesterday.

''I wish to report that all tests show that the president is in a normal state of health. After a few days of rest, the President should be able to fully resume his duties,'' Surgeon-General Vejay Ramlakan said in a statement.

A presidential spokesman described Mbeki as being ''very well''.

An angiogram is normally performed to check the condition of a person's arteries. During the procedure, doctors insert a catheter into the groin and feed it through an artery to the heart, allowing them to check for constrictions.

Questions about Mbeki's health have surfaced from time to time since he succeeded Nelson Mandela in 1999 as South Africa's second black president. Some political observers have commented that Mbeki, who has a reputation as a workaholic, has looked tired in some of his recent public appearances.

REUTERS PB PC1600