Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2006. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
South African Press Association - August 17, 2006
A group of Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) activists occupied the stall, with some lying on the ground to symbolise the dead. "Fire Manto now," they chanted as passers-by gathered to see what was going on.
"How many lemons are you going to eat when your CD4 count drops below 200?" shouted a woman.
They charged that South Africa's Aids response is "the worst response in the world to the epidemic and not the most comprehensive".
"They tried to confiscate garlic, lemon and beetroot that are exhibited at the stand along with anti-retroviral drugs, condoms and various IEC [Independent Electoral Commission] material on HIV and Aids," said health ministry spokesperson Sibani Mngadi. "One of the panels of the stand was damaged."
Mngadi accused TAC national manager Nathan Geffen of "making abusive utterances" and threatening government officials and the Khomanani service providers running the stand.
"The ministry of health would like to commend the officials who were able to protect the contents of the stand despite threatening and abusive behaviour of TAC supporters," he said.
Condemning the "intolerance" of TAC supporters, Mngadi called on its leaders to take appropriate action to deal with their disruptive, abusive and threatening behaviour.
"They have a duty to protect the integrity of our democratic country by taking strong action against the intolerant behaviour of the members of their organisation and damage to government property.
"South Africa is a free nation and an attempt to suppress divergent views through violent means undermines our internationally renowned democratic Constitution," he said.
Khomanani project coordinator Karabo Moraka, who was manning the stall, said the protesters were "misguided", but it was their constitutional right to demonstrate.
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