Manto's in-flight drama slammed
2003-04-30 12:03
Cape Town - The Democratic Alliance and the United Democratic Movement have condemned an incident on an international flight during which Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang allegedly became abusive and swore at a fellow passenger in the business-class section.
According to Die Burger newspaper, the incident happened on Monday evening's late-night flight from Frankfurt to Cape Town, when passenger Jentz von Wichtingen refused to sit next to her "because she is responsible for the deaths of thousands of South Africans".
Von Wichtingen, who lives in Cape Town, apparently recognised
Tshabalala-Msimang and asked a stewardess for an alternative seat.
Apparently, Tshabalala-Msimang overheard Von Wichtingen, Die Burger reported.
The minister allegedly swore at Von Wichtingen, threatened him and stabbed at him with her finger. She also is alleged to have shouted at him.
Democratic Alliance health spokesperson Sandy Kalyan said the time had long since passed for President Thabo Mbeki to fire Tshabalala-Msimang.
'Still waiting for apology'
"Surely, among the ANC's almost 300 members of parliament there must be someone who would be less of an embarrassment to South Africa, someone who could do a better job.
"We are still waiting for Minister Tshabalala-Msimang to apologise for raising groundless fears about the safety and effectiveness of Nevirapine.
"She should add to this, by apologising to the passengers who witnessed her reported behaviour on this flight."
Kalyan said Tshabalala-Msimang also should apologise to the South African public for conduct unbecoming a member of the cabinet.
But an apology, welcome and overdue as it might be, "will just not cut it anymore".
Kalyan said Mbeki had a leadership role to fulfil. South Africa deserved better than having "motor-mouth Manto" as its health minister - she must be fired.
UDM spokesperson Nonhlanhla Nkabinde said: "We find it quite surprising that the minister should express such indignation when confronted with a simple statement of fact that she is directly responsible for the deaths of thousands of HIV/Aids sufferers."
"Once again, the minister has demonstrated with her unbecoming
behaviour that she is unfit to serve in the cabinet," said Nkabinde.
Tshabala-Msimang's spokesperson Sibani Mngadi, who was on the flight in the economy section, is on leave and was not available for comment.
However, his colleague, Jo-Anne Collinge, confirmed she was aware "an incident" had occurred on the flight, but had not yet had an opportunity to speak to the minister.
- SAPA