19 April 2001
The General Secretary of the South African Communist Party (SACP), Blade Nzimande will, today, address a victory rally in respect of the court case between the South African government and up to 42 foreign based multinational drug companies. This follows the withdrawal of the majority of these companies from the court case.
This rally will be held from 10h00 at Pretoria's Church Square today.
This withdrawal follows local and international action led by COSATU, the SACP, the Treatment Action Campaign and many other organisations throughout the world calling for support of South African legislation for affordable medicines.
The SACP regards the withdrawal of many of these companies as a reminder that the bosses and their system of capitalism is not invincible. Most importantly, the withdrawal requires that South Africa moves as urgently as possible to local generic production of medicines and the implementation of a national plan for distribution and administering of affordable medicines and treatments.
CONTACT
Mazibuko K. Jara (surname Jara)
Department of Media, Information and Publicity South African Communist Party
COSATU House
No. 1 Leyds Street - 7th Floor
Braamfontein 2001
Republic of South Africa
Tel: 27 11 339-3621/2
Fax: 27 11 339-4244
Cell: 083 651 0271
Email: sacp1@wn.apc.org