South Africa: Deputy Minister Denies Mbeki HIV-Test Call

Johannesburg — Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala Rout-ledge has denied reports that she called on President Thabo Mbeki to take a public HIV test -- but reiterated her belief that it was important for leaders to do so.

The UK-based Sunday Telegraph reported this weekend that Madlala Routledge had called on her colleagues, including Mbeki, to follow her lead in taking a public HIV test. The story, which was carried in local Sunday papers, prompted extensive local media coverage, with trade unions, opposition leaders and activists welcoming the remarks attributed to her. Yesterday she said she had been misinterpre-ted.

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