/ 3 February 2000

DOCTOR FINED FOR CRITICISING GOVT

EASTERN Cape doctor Costa Gazi has been fined R1000 for criticising former health minister Nkosazana Zuma over the government’s refusal to issue the anti-AIDS drug AZT to infected pregnant women. The health department disciplinary committee in the Eastern Cape also warned Gazi of “serious action” should he repeat the criticism. Gazi told an East London-based newspaper in April that Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma should be charged with manslaughter for not issuing the anti-retroviral drug while she was health minister. The disciplinary committee found him guilty of bringing Dlamini-Zuma, who was appointed foreign minister in June, into disrepute. Gazi has accused the government of condemning to death thousands of people suffering from HIV by not providing the drug. Gazi says he will appeal the conviction and punishment, which has been widely criticised by human rights groups.