Citizen News Online
Wednesday, December 13, 2006
CAPE TOWN - Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge says she has not called on President Thabo Mbeki to set a leadership example and take an Aids test.
"Although I encourage people to test so that they know their HIV status, I did not, as a matter of fact, call upon the president to conduct a public test as claimed by the reports," she said in a statement on Tuesday.
Madlala-Routledge was referring to media reports at the weekend claiming she had called on Mbeki to take such a test. The reports followed an interview she had with a British newspaper.
"To me, it is logical that people in the leadership see the need to do this (take an HIV test)," she reportedly said at the time.
Her call has drawn wide praise from opposition parties and non-governmental organisations in South Africa.
On Tuesday, Madlala-Routledge said she hoped her latest statement would "clarify the matter".
She said in the interview with the British newspaper, the journalist had asked her if she thought it helped if people in leadership positions were tested, "to which I responded in the affirmative".
This had been in response to her taking a public HIV test as part of a Sunday Times campaign for South Africans to get tested.
"The main point I was making was to unite all South Africans behind this important campaign for testing, which forms part of the National Strategic Plan on HIV and Aids and STIs (sexually transmitted infections) for South Africa, and the Comprehensive Plan on HIV Management, Care and Treatment, adopted by Cabinet in December 2003.
"I wish to reiterate my commitment to the policy framework as agreed by Cabinet to ensure that the whole of government communicate a single, clear and consistent message on HIV and Aids," she said. - Sapa.