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SOUTH AFRICAN HEALTH official have issued a recall of some 1.35 million condoms after charges that some of them broke during intercourse and are porous.
The prophylactics were given away during the African National Congress’ (ANC) centenary celebrations but the alarm was raised by Aids activists who said they had had complaints that the condoms burst.
One official, Sello Mokhalip, said that scores of people came to his Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) offices saying that the condoms had burst. He said they poured water into condoms and “they leaked like sieves.
“People would claim that the condoms burst. When we investigated the complaints it turned out the condoms are porous,” he is quoted as saying to the South African Press Association.
BBC News reports that TAC is now warning that large numbers of the condoms are in circulation in the Bloemfontein area. Around 8,700 boxes bearing the South African Bureau of Standards stamp were delivered to guest houses, hotels, restaurants and bars before the ANC celebrations.
The Free State Health Department said it was recalling the condoms as a “precautionary measure” and that scientific tests will be carried out on the contraceptives.
It’s not the first time it has had to do this with 20 million condoms recalled in 2007 after “hundreds of thousands” were found to be faulty.
South Africa has the highest infection rates of HIV in the world and the highest number of Aids victims.
- additional reporting from AP
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Uhmmm.
It was probably the pope on quality control with a pin.
What?
@Matthew Mark Pope j Paul 2 was against the use if condoms during the height if the aids epidemic.
Daniel, see my point below:
South Africa and Southern Africa in general (which is where AIDS is at it’s higest rates) is primarily Anglican. The Pope’s views means nothing to them.
It’s a lot more of a tribal, superstitious thing to not wear condoms. And a lot of the men just refuse to wear them.
And as also pointed out by Gill, AIDS is often spread by assault and rape where the attackers would not wear a condom
Jesus, that won’t help the situation there one bit.. wtf
Very scary considering some of the African countries have wat could only be described as an AIDS epidemic.
it’s not like they’re big on using them, now is it?
Well Burned Toast.
I might have been joking about the pope in my own post.
But it has to be said that his doctrine is totally anti condoms.
Do you think this is a responsible teaching in view of mass overpopulation and STD’s ?
Michael, South Africa and Southern Africa in general (which is where AIDS is at it’s higest rates) is primarily Anglican. The Pope’s views means nothing to them.
It’s a lot more of a tribal, superstitious thing. And a lot of the men just refuse to wear them.
Siomha: thank you for highlighting that.
SA has a very very high rate of assault & rape. Condoms don’t count in these instance where the disease is spread most.
Now – that’s an “oh, sh*t !” moment !!
Well holy God!
jasus I hate it when my prophylactic breaks :-o
Well ill be blowed!!!!!!!
Gill Jones.
Point accepted.
There is much truth in your post and should be considered.
Michael I should have pointed out that my reply was directed at Burnt Toast for his distasteful ‘their not big on using them’ comment.
have your say