SOUTH AFRICA:South African president Thabo Mbeki has come to the defence of his beleaguered health minister Manto Tshabalala- Msimang after she was accused by a Sunday newspaper of going on a drinking binge while in hospital for surgery.
In a statement yesterday, the presidency dismissed the allegations, saying they were part of a media campaign "to demean the person of the minister".
Fresh calls have been made for Ms Tshabalala-Msimang to resign after her widely respected deputy was sacked last week over policy clashes on HIV/Aids.
