Manto moved
2008-09-25 18:09
Cape Town - South Africa's new president has moved the much-criticised health minister away from the Aids portfolio.
President Kgalema Motlanthe reassigned Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, making her a minister in the presidency. She will be a close adviser but will not hold specific responsibilities.
Tshabalala-Msimang has long been accused of frustrating the anti-Aids drive in a country with the highest number of infected people in the world.
She made plain her mistrust of antiretroviral medicines, espousing the value of lemons, garlic, olive oil and beetroot.
I-Net Bridge reported that the president did not say exactly what her duties will be, but the previous minister, Essop Pahad, was in charge of the government information service, and responsible for the affairs of women, youth and people with disabilities.
- AP