Going to jail in solidarity with Mpumalanga health MEC Sibongile Manana was the first constructive proposal made by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, the UDM said on Tuesday.
It was reacting to newspaper reports quoting Tshabalala-Msimang as saying on Monday: ”If she (Manana) goes to prison, I’m going with her.”
Manana could face contempt of court for allegedly delaying a Constitutional Court order to roll out antiretroviral drugs for HIV-positive pregnant women.
Tshabalala-Msimang was determined ”to continue with the genocide against people who are living with HIV or Aids”, UDM health representative Nonhlanhla Nkabinde said in a statement.
”Going to jail in solidarity with her MEC is the first constructive proposal she has ever made in her entire term of office.”
A representative for the health ministry was not immediately available for comment.
Meanwhile, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) said it was still awaiting the findings of the South African Human Rights Commission regarding the alleged violation of human rights by the Mpumalanga health department, SABC radio news reported.
The TAC’s Nonkosi Khumalo says the provincial health department has also been taken to the High Court for allegedly failing to implement the Constitutional Court ruling to roll out antiretroviral drugs to clinics and hospitals in the province. – Sapa