Former South African Leader Denied HIV/AIDS

According to a report conducted by Harvard University, it is estimated the South African government could have prevented 365,000 HIV/AIDS deaths by providing antiretroviral drugs and drugs specifically to prevent mother-to-child transmission to it’s citizens.

The study concludes the health policies of former President Thabo Mbeki were to blame. After years of tension in the African National Congress, the party ousted Mbeki in September. The study has raised several questions about why Mbeki was so influenced by AIDS denialists, and why his political colleagues did not challenge him earlier.

One of the first acts of Mbeki’s Successor, Kgalema Motlanthe, was to replace Mbeki’s health minister, Manto Tshabala-Msimang, who suggested beetroot, lemon juice and garlic as treatment. Barbara Hogan, the new health minister, has quickly reversed course.

Hogan, who was incarcerated for 10 years during apartheid stated;

“I feel ashamed that we have to own up to what Harvard is saying. The era of denialism is over completely in South Africa.”