OPINION: Motsoaledi's 'captured MPs' comment undemocratic and unhealthy | by Tsholofelo Mokone
Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has the singular distinction of having served in as minister in one portfolio since 2009. Yet, in that time, the health system has regressed considerably, writesDr Aaron Motsoaledi is probably one of the most respected ministers coming out of former president Jacob Zuma's administration. He is a trusted and principled politician and servant of the people.
In his closing remarks during the debate of the president's State of the Nation Address, Minister Motsoaledi repeated a comment made in 2018 urging Members of Parliament to not allows themselves to be captured by corporates when dealing with regulating consumption of certain products. He made reference to his sense that some MPs had been captured during the parliamentary debates on the introduction of a sugar tax.
It is quite understandable that for a medical doctor, he is used to prescribing what he thinks is the best remedy for people, so talk about respecting the choices of consumers on what they consume and safeguarding the interests of commercial entities making so called sin products may grate a bit. This is even more understandable when considered against the growing load of non-communicable diseases which have been found to be exacerbated by lifestyle choices.
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