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26 November 2006

The Deputy Minister of Health Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge wishes to correct an error in the Sunday Times front page of 26 November 2006, which was also reported on SABC radio on the same day and possibly other media.

The report stated that "Two Cabinet Ministers and a Deputy Minister (who is later identified as the Deputy Health Minister, Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge) hold shares in consortium to build and operate high speed train." It goes on to say that the Sunday Times has established that "and Deputy Health Minister Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge stand to benefit from the Gautrain project."

I wish to correct the error and state that I hold no shares in the consortium that is building the high speed Gautrain, and that I do not stand to benefit from the Gautrain project in any way.

Later the report states that "and Madlala-Routledge is also shareholder in Dyambu."

I wish to correct the error and state that have never been part of Dyambu and I am not a shareholder of Dyambu.

I find this error particularly disturbing and serious as it creates confusion and undermines the personal initiative I took with members of my family to publicly undergo an HIV test, as reported on page five of the same edition of the Sunday Times. I took this initiative in support of the Sunday Times "Everyone Knows Someone Campaign." I believe testing for HIV can lead to the saving of lives. Taking an HIV test is an important step that everyone can take to make their contribution to overcoming the alarming prevalence of HIV infections and AIDS related deaths in our country. We are losing people to this dreadful disease but we can stop it if we all do the right thing. We need the media to communicate the truth and support the national campaign against HIV and Aids.

Enquiries:
Bonakele Mabel Dlamini
Tel: (012) 312 0924/ (021) 461 4560/1
Fax: (012) 312 0854/ (021) 461 9203
Cell: 082 376 2677

Issued by: Department of Health
26 November 2006