*Swazi prince 'not scared of Aids' *
August 22 2010 at 11:37AM
By Sydney Masinga
Swaziland's royalty joined the Aids denialist bandwagon this week, claiming
greedy pharmaceutical companies were withholding a cure for HIV/Aids so that
they could maximise their profits from antiretroviral drugs.
Prince Mangaliso Dlamini, high-profile cousin of Swaziland's King Mswati
III, also dismissed abstinence, faithfulness and circumcision as effective
ways of curbing the spread of HIV/Aids.
"I believe that HIV figures are exaggerated and I don't believe that
abstinence, faithfulness and circumcision are a means of curbing HIV.
"I believe that there is a cure for HIV, but ruthless capitalist
pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to release it because they are still
making money," Dlamini told the Times of Swaziland.
Describing himself as a "fearless human being", Dlamini said he was not
scared of HIV/Aids.
The UN reports that Swaziland has the highest HIV/Aids infection rates in
the world, with an estimated one in four adult Swazis - or 26.1 percent -
living with the disease.
Dlamini's comments have since sparked outrage from opposition politicians
and health activists.
Siphiwe Hlophe, national director of Swaziland Positive Living, said the NGO
was disappointed by the irresponsible comments from a leader in a country
devastated by HIV/Aids.
"Our country has the highest HIV prevalence on the continent, if not the
world, so we expect our leaders to use their brains and think carefully when
talking about the virus. Dlamini has showed his true colours - that he does
not believe HIV/Aids exists - and we don't need a leader like that," said
Hlophe.
Swaziland Solidarity Network spokesman Lucky Lukhele said the 60-year-old
Dlamini had numerous children who had been born out of wedlock, many of whom
had no personal relationship with him.
"Dlamini is a polygamist whose number of wives is unknown. Like his
(cousin), King Mswati, he still holds on to backward views of expressing his
manhood through his virility.
"The existence of such attitudes among people who are supposed to be role
models to the country's youth is disturbing and goes a long way towards
explaining why the country has the highest HIV infection rate in the whole
world.
"As the nation prepares for its annual reed dance on August 27, it is
important that people become aware of the lecherous members of the royal
family who use it as a hunting ground to satisfy their insatiable sexual
appetites," he added.
Dlamini and the CEO in the king's office, Bheki Dlamini, were not available
for comment on Friday.
Dlamini's comments are the latest in a series of PR disasters for the
kingdom's fight against the pandemic.
In May last year, Swaziland MP Timothy Myeni, who is also a founder member
of popular gospel group Ncandweni Christ Ambassadors, was criticised
internationally for saying that HIV-positive people in the kingdom should be
branded on the buttocks.
http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=vn20100822110152296C915488
--
*Lucky Lukhele- SSN spokesperson*
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*Fax: 0866135762*
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*Email: [email protected] *
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