Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang is demanding the Sunday Times retract ”malicious, untrue and injurious statements” made about her.
This follows a weekend front-page report, under the headline ”Manto’s Hospital Booze Binge”, in which it is alleged the minister consumed excessive amounts of alcohol while in hospital for shoulder surgery two years ago.
”The minister wishes to state publicly that the report is false, malicious and in contravention of the law,” the ministry said in a statement on Monday.
The allegations in the report were clearly defamatory.
”Many of the allegations and insinuations are so bizarre, scandalous, speculative and incredible that the minister does not wish to dignify them with a response,” it said.
The ministry said it was disturbing the Sunday Times had admitted to being ”in possession of the confidential medical records of the minister”.
Such possession was an offence in terms of the National Health Act.
”The minister calls upon the Sunday Times to within 24 hours hand over to her all records concerning her hospitalisation, medical treatment and condition [including the notes containing such information as well as the comments of various ”doctors” in respect of such hospitalisation, treatment and condition].”
A letter of demand in this regard had been sent to the newspaper.
”The minister also demands that the Sunday Times immediately retract the malicious, untrue and injurious statements referred to in the report,” the ministry said.
Attempts to demean
Meanwhile, the Presidency has dismissed the newspaper allegations concerning controversial Tshabalala-Msimang, saying they do not warrant President Thabo Mbeki taking action against her.
”The Presidency notes that the latest allegations levelled against the minister of health appear to be consistent with attempts by some in the media and elsewhere to demean the person of the minister,” it said in a statement on Monday.
Earlier, it was reported Tshabalala-Msimang was to seek legal advice about the Sunday Times report.
Such allegations, the Presidency said, had the effect of shifting focus from the government programme to improve the public health system as a whole.
”Furthermore, they seem to bear on recent decisions taken by the president regarding the leadership of the Ministry of Health and to project these in caricature of derogation,” it said.
Last week, Mbeki fired deputy health minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge.
The allegations published in the weekend press did not warrant the president taking action against the minister of health.
”However, anyone who may have evidence that demonstrates that any minister or deputy minister has acted in dereliction of duty is welcome to forward such evidence to the Presidency,” the Presidency said. — Sapa