Manto free to lose rag

2003-05-12 22:16

Adrian Lackay

Cape Town - The behaviour of the German, Jentz von Wichtingen, towards Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, on a flight between Germany and South Africa two weeks ago was "offensive" and "reprehensible", members of the African National Congress (ANC) caucus said in parliament on Monday.

The altercation between the two was sparked when Von Wichtingen refused to sit next to Tshabalala-Msimang because of government's controversial Aids policy. The minister allegedly swore at and threatened him after he asked for another seat.

ANC MPs of the health portfolio committee sharply criticised Von Wichtingen at a media conference before the discussion of the health department's budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday.

"It is the most offensive behaviour one can encounter."

James Ngculu, chairperson of the committee, said Von Wichtingen's actions were not the way one solved differences.

Tshabalala-Msimang is only human and any politician would have shown the same anger.

Maureen Malumise, ANC MP, said the incident on the plane would not form part of the health debate despite the fact that opposition MPs were expected to take Thsabalala-Msimang to task on the issue later in the debate.

"What happens to the minister outside our parliament has nothing to do with us," Malumise declared.

Von Wichtingen said he was disappointed that MPs thought it was acceptable for a minister to use the f-word in public.

"I did not confront the person, but her policy. It is still wrong and is killing people. I will do my best to contribute to the fight against Aids," Von Wichtingen said.

He donated R10 000 to the Hope Project that finances treatment for HIV positive children at Tygerberg Hospital.

Von Wichtingen invited Tshabalala-Msimang on Monday to visit the hospital to "see for herself that the policy is failing".

- Die Burger