Manto 'deserves more respect'
2003-04-30 21:52
Marlene Malan
Cape Town - Despite harsh criticism over her crude language and uncontrolled behaviour towards a fellow passenger on a flight between Germany and South Africa, the South African government said on Wednesday that it stood by Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
Dr Essop Pahad, Minister of the Presidency, said on Wednesday that Tshabalala-Msimang's reaction was understandable after a fellow passenger, Jentz von Wichtingen, 37, from Sea Point, refused to sit next to her because of the government's Aids policy.
Pahad turned the matter into a racial issue and said too many people did not respect black ministers. "South Africa's political leaders deserve more respect."
By Wednesday afternoon, Tshabalala-Msimang's two spokespersons still had not reacted to repeated enquiries to her office. Sibani Mngadi, who was on the same flight, was suddenly on sick leave, while Jo-Anne Collinge was attending meetings all day.
The incident comes at a time when political parties are placing increasing pressure on the minister to resign.
The Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) said her behaviour and use of swearwords did not fit her position.
Airline should act against passenger
President Thabo Mbeki said on Wednesday that he had not yet been fully informed about the matter.
Pahad, who addressed the issue on behalf of government, said Tshabalala-Msimang's side of the story has not been heard yet.
He said Von Wichtingen believed it was appropriate to insult the minister. "Nobody boarding a plane should be accused of murder. Her reaction in these circumstances is therefore understandable."
He said no airline should allow a passenger to speak to a minister that way and he trusted that "Lufthansa would act against this passenger".
Manto 'has a reputation'
Mark Heywood, national secretary of the TAC, said on Wednesday that Tshabalala-Msimang had a reputation for outbursts and unacceptable behaviour in public.
He said her behaviour cast South Africa in a poor light.
"Von Wichtingen's refusal to sit next to her was indicative of the anger and helplessness thousands of South Africans feel.
If a minister acts like this when she is confronted, parliament should decide what to do with her."
The Democratic Alliance said Tshabalala-Msimang should be replaced, as she was an embarrassment for the country. National Action said she was coming apart and that she could no longer be trusted with this key portfolio. The United Democratic Movement said her "big mouth" made her unsuited for this position.
Lufthansa staff can handle conflict
Karin Duncker, spokesperson for Lufthansa, said the airline did not divulge information about its passengers.
"We cannot comment, apart from saying that out staff are trained to handle conflict between passengers."
Von Wichtingen denied on Wednesday that he spoke loudly or insulted the minister. "I calmly asked the stewardess for another seat."
He stressed that he wasn't an Aids activist, but that he felt strongly about the way the pandemic was being handled in South Africa.
'She feels threatened'
Samantha Pienaar, a behavioural expert and lecturer at the University of Stellenbosch, said on Wednesday that Tshabalala-Msimang's over-reaction when she told a fellow passenger to "fuck off" shows that she feels threatened.
That type of moodiness is typical of someone who is uncertain of herself and who is succumbing to pressure. "She might feel guilty because she is not convinced that what she is doing is right."
Conflict and confrontation can cause such a person to crack, Pienaar said.
- Die Burger