South Africa's Mbeki Slammed for Retaining Controversial Health Minister

Opposition leader Tony Leon said reelected President Thabo Mbeki's decision to retain his controversial health minister in his new cabinet displayed "crass insensitivity" to the needs of South Africans, the South African Press Association reported. Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who advocated a quirky diet to fend off AIDS, is widely seen to have failed in tackling South Africa's burgeoning epidemic. "This is a slap in the face to the approximately seven million HIV/AIDS sufferers in South Africa and indicates that government is stubbornly persisting with its failed policies in the health sector," said Leon. Bantu Holomisa, leader of the United Democratic Movement, said his party, too, was "disappointed" by the decision.

Back to other news for April 28, 2004