Ngiyabonga Somlomo. [Thank you, Chairperson.]
The IFP has closely followed the debate among South Africans regarding the Minister of Health, Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang. The president of the IFP, Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi MP, has pointed out that the raging debate fills him with disquiet as it borders on a witch-hunt against the Minister. The IFP, therefore, wants to reiterate Prince Buthelezi's stance that there is a need to maintain the dividing line between the Minister's public accountability and the person's private life.
The IFP believes that we should rather weigh the Minister in terms of her performance in public life. The IFP has never shied away from criticising the Minister of Health when we disagree with her, with her policies or when they fail the constitutional test. We have, for instance, been vociferous in our condemnation of the Minister's role in the government's failed HIV/Aids policy. But our criticism has been limited to the Minister's public life and performance and has not crossed the line into her private life. The current debate is dangerously close to blurring the line that completely disregards the private life. I thank you. [Applause.]