Opposition Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille says said on Friday Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang should be locked up as soon as possible.
This follows the sentencing this week for contempt of court by the labour court of the Minister and her former director general Ayanda Ntsaluba to 15 days in jail if they failed to comply within 60 days with an order.
This was an order made two years ago to reinstate an employee in her former position.
Christel Bruckner had been working for the department for 19 years when she was suspended as deputy director of medicines registration on the grounds that she no longer fitted into the new structure.
De Lille in a statement on Firday suggested that the Health Minister be given 15 days of solitary confinement during which she may realise ”the importance of treatment for HIV/Aids sufferers”.
The MP said: ”As the country’s Minister of Health, Tshabalala-Msimang has proven wholly incapable of stemming the tide of 700 deaths of Aids-related illnesses that occur daily in South Africa.
”The court should continue to deal fairly with Tshabalala-Msimang, as we are all equal before the law and the court should make no exception for her just because she is the Minister of Health,” De Lille said.
The minister has indicated that she and her former DG would appeal the conviction. – Sapa