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Cabinet slams condom scam

Published in HIV/Aids News, edition of 18 September
06/09/2007

Cape Town - Cabinet was concerned about the level of fraud that led to the distribution of faulty condoms which might have exposed people to the HIV virus.

"Cabinet expressed disquiet about the corruption and fraud that led to the distribution of faulty condoms which may have exposed individuals to the risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases," government spokesperson Themba Maseko told the media on Thursday, a day after Cabinet's fortnightly meeting.

"All those implicated in the scam will face the full force of the law," he said, adding that Cabinet was impressed with the Health Department's speedy recall of the faulty condoms.

Three South African Bureau of Standards employees appeared in court last month in connection with the scam. They were currently out on bail and would appear in court again on October 10.

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