The presidency has hit back at Free State University rector Jonathan Jansen for claiming it had been lying about former president Nelson Mandela's health.

"This is a serious accusation that casts aspersions on the integrity of the presidency," spokesman for the presidency Harold Maloka said on Tuesday.

The presidency took exception to Jansen saying its official descriptions of Mandela's hospital visits as routine check-ups were inaccurate, he said in a statement.

"Professor...read more here: Jansen scolded by presidency over Madiba health remarks