President Thabo Mbeki has not met ailing Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang’s husband to discuss relieving her of her duties due to her ill health, the Presidency said on Monday.
”The report that claims that whatever was discussed at a meeting is false because the meeting never took place,” said spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga.
City Press reported on Sunday that Tshabalala-Msimang’s husband, Mendi Msimang, had asked Mbeki to relieve the minister of her duties due to her health problems.
It reported that Msimang, who is the African National Congress treasurer, held at least one meeting with Mbeki to discuss his wife’s health.
The paper reported that Msimang refused to comment on his request to Mbeki, but did not deny it.
Tshabalala-Msimang’s spokesperson Sibani Mngadi said he did not know about the request.
He said Tshabalala-Msimang was in a stable condition.
Last month, Mbeki appointed Transport Minister Jeff Radebe as acting health minister while Tshabalala-Msimang recovers.
Tshabalala-Msimang was admitted to the Johannesburg General hospital last month and was treated for anaemia and pleural effusion, an abnormal accumulation of fluid around the lungs.
Mbeki has resisted calls from opposition parties that the health minister be removed from office due to her ill-health. – Sapa