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           Zimbabwe HIV Activists Push for Government Accountability

   by Sebastian Mhofu

   AIDS activists in Zimbabwe are demanding the government account for
   millions of dollars it is raising through an AIDS-related tax. The
   activists defied police orders and marched to a government agency they
   accuse of corruption.
   Hundreds of activists dressed in T-shirts with the words "HIV Positive"
   marched to the Harare offices of Zimbabwe's National AIDS Council, a
   government body managing the three-percent AIDS levy collected from all
   workers.
   An HIV-positive man in his 40s, Douglas Muzanenhamo, said he joined the
   march to protest a lack of anti-retroviral drugs, crucial for
   prolonging the life of HIV carriers.
   "We have told them [the government] to provide us with ARVs for a long
   time. So they have failed to give us our monthly supplies for ARVs,"
   said Muzanenhamo. "So we have decided to come here to tell them that we
   need our drugs. They go to the press and say there ARVs are available,
   but if you go to the pharmacies and clinics, they are not available. So
   we have decided to come."
   Tax for AIDS tratement, prevention
   Zimbabwe is one of the countries most heavily affected by AIDS,
   although the rate of HIV prevalence has dropped in recent years.
   In 1999, the nation became the first in Africa to introduce a tax meant
   to raise money for AIDS treatment and prevention programs. But the
   patients say nothing is reaching them now.
   Police said Tuesday they would not sanction the demonstration, but the
   activists refused to give in.
   Protester Spiwe Chabikwa traveled from the city of Bulawayo for the
   demonstration, knowing she risked being arrested or assaulted by the
   police.
   Protest for accountability
   It is our right to demonstrate. The demonstration is not against the
   government, just against corruption," said Chabikwa. "Even some people
   in the police force are HIV-positive, so we are doing this for the
   entire nation. Everyone is affected; the AIDS levy is paid by everyone
   whether HIV-positive or not."
   Police maintained their distance as the activists marched and
   petitioned the National AIDS Council. In an interview, council director
   Tapiwa Magure said the levy is not being abused.
   "We are up to date with our audits. There are tight controls, so
   whoever wants to demonstrate must come to use. All I am saying is, we
   are more than ready to explain everything," said Tapiwa.
   He might be ready to explain, but the activists are more interested in
   getting access to anti-retroviral drugs. The activist group Zimbabwe
   Lawyers for Human Rights has petitioned the National AIDS Council
   demanding that the agency release information related to how the AIDS
   levy is being administered.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/zimbabwe_hiv_activists_push_for_gover
   nment_accountability/1524053.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/zimbabwe_hiv_activists_push_for_government_accountability/1524053.html