AIDS discrimination in army challenged

A recent decision by the South African government to ban HIV-positive soldiers from active duty has drawn criticism from local AIDS activists. The AIDS Law Project (ALP) said it would fight the state in court as the decision was unconstitutional and violated anti-discrimination clauses. Minister of Defence Mosioua Lekota dropped a bombshell last week when he said: "Anybody with the condition [of HIV] cannot be recruited into the defence force. There's no point. You can't take in ill people into positions in the army. It's not useful." However, the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) has denied discriminating against people living with HIV/AIDS, saying there was no ban on such individuals doing civilian jobs in the military. The local Mail and Guardian newspaper quoted SANDF spokesman, Sam Mkhwanazi, as saying: "But all recruits for active military duty have to pass a comprehensive health assessment - including an HIV/AIDS test - to be accepted."