COPE wishes to clear up any misconceptions in the media regarding its stance on HIV/Aids. The party accepts unequivocally that there is a direct link between HIV and AIDS.

A COPE government will waste no time in ensuring that those affected by this disease are provided with treatment. We will also introduce programme aimed at educating the people of South Africa about the disease in order to minimise the transmission of AIDS.

We strongly condemn attempts by the media to link COPE to AIDS denialism. The media has also deliberately tried to misinterpret comments made by our presidential candidate, Dr Mvume Dandala on this issue. He has consistently stated our party's position on this issue. We believe that such aspersions are politically motivated and do not represent COPE's position.

As loyal servants of the people and the next government of South Africa, we remain committed to deal effectively with this disease that continues to ravage our society and impacts negatively on SA's socio-economic development.

Statement issued by the Congress of the People March 4 2009

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