Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association (Johannesburg) - April 24, 2003
The protest was part of TAC's civil disobedience campaign to push the government to commit to a national antiretroviral treatment programme for people with HIV/Aids.
Speaking by cellphone from the inside of a police van, the TAC's national manager Nathan Geffen said he and his comrades were arrested shortly after 5pm, after the department laid a complaint of trespassing.
He said they were being taken to Caledon Square police station, and they did not know if they would be detained overnight.
"We're disappointed that (the) DTI didn't have the courtesy to send us someone senior to deal with us.
"We think we made a strong point today: that if they don't take us seriously, they'll be left with not choice but to arrest us."
Last month, the TAC laid a culpable homicide charge at Caledon Square against Trade and Industry Minister Alec Erwin and his health counterpart Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.
It says they have not done what they should to prevent the 600 Aids deaths every day in South Africa.
The 17 protesters occupied the DTI offices on the 14th floor of a building in Adderley Street in the centre of the city, at midday, while another 200 dancing and singing protesters were held at bay in the street.
Police kept a close watch on proceedings during the afternoon.
Geffen said earlier that the TAC members would not end their sit-in until they had spoken to Erwin, his deputy Lindiwe Hendricks, or director general Alastair Ruiters.
Officials told them by phone from Pretoria that Erwin flew out of the country on Wednesday night, that Hendricks was on leave, and Ruiters was not available.
Geffen said they wanted to address Erwin because his department has failed to meet its obligation to bring down the excessive price of medicines.
"This could have been done by issuing licences for the importation and production of generic anti-retrovirals (ARVs).
"We gave Alastair Ruiters, the director-general, a memorandum in 2001 and there has been absolutely no movement, no response," Geffen said.
He said the TAC noted moves to develop local capacity for producing Aids drugs, but use should be made in the meantime of existing capacity in the private generic sector.
"We've had too many promises from government in the past to take them at their word at this point," he said.
Cape Town police confirmed that the 14 men and three women were arrested on charges of trespassing.
Captain Andre Traut said if they did not bring a bail application or did not pay a admission of guilt fine they may be held overnight at the police station./sbm
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