/ 2 December 2009

ANC condemns reports on Manto’s health

The ANC on Wednesday condemned ''negative and irresponsible'' media reports about the former health minister's hospitalisation.

The African National Congress (ANC) on Wednesday condemned ”negative and irresponsible” media reports about former health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang’s hospitalisation.

”It is our view that such reporting is a violation of Comrade Manto’s rights to privacy, as well as a breach [of] doctor-patient confidentiality,” it said in a statement.

”We also believe that this type of reporting by some sections of the media shows utter disregard to medical rights of fellow South Africans.”

The ANC said it was outraged that watchdogs like the Press Ombudsman had remained quiet after the reports.

It called on the Press Ombudsman and other organs of civil society charged with monitoring human rights violations to investigate the conduct of the newspaper that published the story.

”Such investigation will bring closure to this uncultured and inhumane behaviour by some sections of the media.”

The ANC said it would support Tshabalala-Msimang’s family in taking whatever legal action was necessary.

Tshabalala-Msimang is in a stable condition at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, following ”issues around her liver” after the transplant she had in 2007.

Her doctor Professor Jeff Wing said on Monday it was too early to say whether or when she would be discharged. — Sapa