South African Government Reacts Angrily to TAC Theatrics

The South African government has accused the Treatment Action Campaign of "opportunism" and negotiating in bad faith after the AIDS lobbying group leaked a confidential report on HIV/AIDS. "There is no need for theatrics in dealing with the matter of HIV and AIDS," government spokesperson Joel Netshitenzhe said Monday. TAC spokesperson Mark Heywood said the leaked report had been given to Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang on May 9. Netshitenzhe said the only reason for the delay in the report's reaching the cabinet was to ensure that the information in the report was "complete and has integrity in all areas," so that the cabinet was able to respond properly without sending it back for more information. Heywood said TAC leaked the report not to embarrass the government but rather to involve the public. Among other things, the report revealed that 1.7 million lives could be saved by 2010 if antiretroviral drugs were given to all South Africans who need them.

Back to other news for July 16, 2003

Search the Newsroom archive