Tony Leon's misinformation about the ID exposed
2004-11-23. Tony Leon lied publicly and maliciously yesterday when he said "the Independent Democrats silence is particularly deafening on the issue of HIV/Aids". Unlike Leon of the DA, the Independent Democrats leader Patricia de Lille has a long record of active involvement on HIV/Aids.
The parliamentary record shows that the ID voted for the first Health
Budget, because it made provision for the ARV roll-out programme.
However, on the Adjustments Appropriation Bill, the ID voted against
the Health budget, because - as ID Leader Patricia de Lille stated in
her Member's Statement the previous day (Monday, 8th November) - the
Government was failing to make real progress on ARV roll-out
programme.
Prior to this - on September 1, 2004 De Lille asked the Deputy President, "What will be the role of SANAC in ensuring that the Government's stated target of providing over one million South Africans with antiretrovirals by 2008 is achieved?" The ID further asked: "Whether SANAC will play any role in ensuring that all requirements of the rollout are met, particulary in relation to nutritional support and the oversight role of ensuring that persons adhere to their medication and are provided with transport to clinics where necessary?"
It was the ID again who asked the Deputy President how if only 53 000 antiretrovirals were planned for this year and 200 000 antiretrovirals were need per year, the government could reach the 2008 target? and if not, what was the position in this regard? This information is available in parliamentary records and to those who, unlike Tony Leon who does not sit in any portfolio committee, balance their parliamentary duties with their community activities.
It was the ID leader, Patricia de Lille, who challenged all public representatives to go for Public HIV Tests as far back as 2000. The DA are opportunistic copycats. De Lille was also the first politician to adopt an HIV positive child. In 2003 De Lille received Canada's internationally recognised award for HIV/AIDS activism for her fight against HIV/Aids in South Africa. She also serves on numerous organisations including Nazareth House Fikely and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund which deals with HIV/Aids issues on a daily basis. Out of her salary she pays for the treatment of Antiretrovirals for one HIV/Positive mother. What does Leon do?
Issued by Thulani Sithole ID Media Officer: 084 233 3811
Prior to this - on September 1, 2004 De Lille asked the Deputy President, "What will be the role of SANAC in ensuring that the Government's stated target of providing over one million South Africans with antiretrovirals by 2008 is achieved?" The ID further asked: "Whether SANAC will play any role in ensuring that all requirements of the rollout are met, particulary in relation to nutritional support and the oversight role of ensuring that persons adhere to their medication and are provided with transport to clinics where necessary?"
It was the ID again who asked the Deputy President how if only 53 000 antiretrovirals were planned for this year and 200 000 antiretrovirals were need per year, the government could reach the 2008 target? and if not, what was the position in this regard? This information is available in parliamentary records and to those who, unlike Tony Leon who does not sit in any portfolio committee, balance their parliamentary duties with their community activities.
It was the ID leader, Patricia de Lille, who challenged all public representatives to go for Public HIV Tests as far back as 2000. The DA are opportunistic copycats. De Lille was also the first politician to adopt an HIV positive child. In 2003 De Lille received Canada's internationally recognised award for HIV/AIDS activism for her fight against HIV/Aids in South Africa. She also serves on numerous organisations including Nazareth House Fikely and the Nelson Mandela Children's Fund which deals with HIV/Aids issues on a daily basis. Out of her salary she pays for the treatment of Antiretrovirals for one HIV/Positive mother. What does Leon do?
Issued by Thulani Sithole ID Media Officer: 084 233 3811
