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Lewis slams confusing Zuma AIDS remarks

    JOHANNESBURG

    Stephen Lewis, the UN special envoy for HIV/AIDS in Africa, on Wednesday accused South African ex-deputy president Jacob Zuma of setting back the fight against the pandemic with his recent remarks on HIV prevention.

    Lewis said Zuma has done "irreparable damage" to current efforts to curb the spread of AIDS with actions that came to light in his recent rape trial in the Johannesburg High Court.

    Zuma shocked AIDS activists when he told the court that he showered after having unprotected sex with his HIV-positive accuser, thinking this would reduce his risk of becoming infected.

    "I feel embarrassed for the African leadership ... and the situation in South Africa where the voice of political leadership has been both confused and confusing. The voice of Zuma just made it even more unpalatable," Lewis said.

    This article was produced by IRIN News while it was part of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Please send queries on copyright or liability to the UN. For more information: https://shop.un.org/rights-permissions

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