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The African National Congress (ANC)
would like to set records straight that the matter between the ANC President
and his personal relationship with anyone remains a personal matter. We
respond to this matter in order to clarify our stance in response to media
reports especially those emanating from political commentators on this
matter.

Our view is that the matter between any two consenting adults
remains their own personal affair, not in the interest of anyone. That goes
for some individuals and some media institutions. For the record, President
Zuma has gone on record sharing his believe in polygamy and has demonstrated
his responsibilities and his responsiveness that comes with any of the
relationships.

As the ANC, we have always made a distinction between
people's personal affairs and their public responsibilities. In so far as we
are concerned, the alleged relationship of the President and anyone should
be treated as such.

We do not see the correlation between the ANC policies
on HIV and AIDS and the President personal relationships. As the ANC, we
welcomed the progressive policy shift on HIV/AIDS as articulated on the 1st
December 2009 by President to mark World Aids Day. Not only does the policy
change portray the ANC-led Government as caring but it demonstrates its
commitment to effectively fight the pandemic.

The President proposed
concrete steps to be undertaken by the Government, which come into effect on
April 2010 to fight the pandemic. As the ANC we particularly welcome the
fact that:
· All children under one year of age will get treatment if they
test positive, not determined by the level of CD cells. This will contribute
significantly towards the reduction of infant mortality over time.
· All
patients with both TB and HIV will get treatment with anti-retrovirals if
their CD4 count is 350 or less.
· TB and HIV/Aids will now be treated under
one roof.
· All pregnant HIV positive women with a CD4 count of 350 or with
symptoms regardless of CD4 count will have access to treatment.

We believe
that this will go a long way to decrease the deaths of pregnant women who
are HIV positive and protect unborn babies.

Why should a relationship
between two adults be made an issue? Why should it make headlines? Why is it
characterised by some media as a "Shame to the nation".

We are of the view
that the media and some political commentators are making a mountain out of
nothing. We are not sure what their motives are, but we are confident that
time will tell.

This unjustified attack to the President is disingenuous.
There is nothing wrong that the President had done. There is nothing
"shameful" when two adults have a relationship. How does a relationship
between two adults become "shameful" to the people? Such headlines are
alarmist and create unnecessary tensions and confusion. By being involved
with any other person, President Zuma is not guilty of any offence and he
has not bridged our constitution or any of our laws.