True or false, these remarks are bizarre

STARTLING remarks on Aids attributed to Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang in the British newspaper, the Guardian, have left South African looking like a banana republic.

Defending the government’s stand on Aids and its massive defence spending, she is quoted as telling the newspaper that South Africa must be militarily prepared for a possible invasion by the United States.

Tshabalala-Msimang described the report as bizarre and indeed it is. We cannot imagine anyone holding so senior a portfolio making a statement that is so insensitive and far fetched.

There has never been a fear of an invasion by the US – even although we would not let their ships use our ports in the global battle against terrorism and even though there was some embarrassing comment from a certain Eastern Cape politician when the Twin Towers were hit.

Indeed there is concern about their hard-line approach towards Iraq, but our relationship with the United States remains cordial.

At worst we can only imagine the Minister was using hypothetical exaggeration to make a point and the reporter took her a little too literally. But, says the journalist, she stands by her report as a correct version of a conversation with the Minister.

Be that as it may, the harm has been done and a powerful newspaper has reported that we cannot supply anti-retrovirals because of budgetary constraints.

Naturally, when a country is in the process of spending R45-billion on sophisticated arms it seems to have no need for, not only overseas reporters latch onto the question of priorities. The controversial arms deal has caused much dismay even in our own country.

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New MEC promises a clean sweep

NEW Eastern Cape Social Development MEC Neo Moerane looks set to light a fire under those responsible for paying out social pensions and grants in the province. Her hard-line approach will be welcomed by long-suffering recipients.

Moerane said that the metro had been found to be one of the most problematic areas in the region and promised that the situation was about to change.

For years now this newspaper has carried reports of old and disabled folk standing in long queues for hours without water, and sometimes not getting paid after lining up for the whole day. That is no way to treat the most needy in our society.

She has also promised to stamp out corruption in her department, deal with issues such as litigation and unscrupulous doctors selling sick certificates to patients, and ensure that the new payment system to be implemented next month works smoothly.

It’s a tall order, but with the right approach and the right planning there is no reason why the basic procedures should not run like clockwork.

Moerane has given her assurance that if there are payout problems, the outside service providers who have been appointed could forfeit their contracts.

Hopefully she will back these promises with action. With the Eastern Cape administration under scrutiny, her reputation will be on the line.