Independent Democrats (ID) leader Patricia de Lille has welcomed President Jacob Zuma's comments about HIV/Aids made during a CNN TV interview.

Zuma reportedly said his predecessor Thabo Mbeki had contradicted government and party directives on HIV/Aids, De Lille said in a statement.

This was a step in the right direction in terms of restoring
South Africa's international reputation, she said.

"However, what is far more important is that Zuma, as the leader of the African National Congress (ANC) and government, apologises to the relatives and friends of the estimated 330 000 South Africans that died because of the ANC government's failure to provide them with antiretrivirals (ARVs) between 2000 and 2005," De Lille said.

"After that, Parliament should convene a truth commission into the hundreds of thousands of unnecessary deaths.

"The ID strongly rejects President Zuma's assertion that Mbeki had his 'personal views' on HIV and Aids and that it was those views that were running the country."

As the highest level ANC appointment, Mbeki at all times represented the policies of the ANC.

It was a massive indictment on the ANC that at a time when Mbeki's so-called "personal views" were leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of poor South Africans, people like Joel Netshitenzhe, Trevor Manuel and particularly Zuma, who was sacked as Mbeki's deputy president only in 2005, either openly supported Mbeki or remained silent.

"The apology from Zuma should also coincide with the removal of [former health minister] Manto Tshabalala-Msimang, who continues to serve as a Member of Parliament for the ANC, from her position," De Lille said.