Dullah Omar tests negative for HIV

CAPE TOWN -- Transport Minister Dullah Omar tested HIV negative when he undertook a public HIV/Aids test at the Cape Town station yesterday.

"Even if I had tested positive I would have wanted the results to be made public," Omar told journalists shortly after the test at the Blue Train Lounge.

The tests were conducted by Sister Patricia Mtiya and Sister Irish Matinise of the Langa Clinic, who last year also tested the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Njongonkulu Ndungane.

Before being tested Omar had to sign a consent form.

Squeezed into the corner of the lounge and hemmed in by hordes of photographers, Mtiya put on a pair of gloves and pricked Omar's finger.

She then drew blood and told the minister the results would be available in 15 minutes.

Afterwards, Omar said he wanted to set an example to others in the transport sector to learn their HIV status.

"I feel fine but a little bit nervous," Omar said as he waited for the results.

Asked how she felt about her husband being tested, Omar's wife, Farieda, said she thought it was a very good thing.

"We have been married for 40 years and we have been having wonderful sex for 40 years," Mrs Omar said. "There is one thing I want to tell the people out there, and that is that they must please stick to one partner and protect themselves."

Omar said by taking the test he was just taking the transport sector's programme on Aids forward.

Transport also operated across the borders and programmes to combat the disease had been implemented.

"We must break down the stigma around HIV/Aids," Omar said.

Omar said he had the test done as part of the transport team and not as an individual.

"This is not meant to set an example for my Cabinet colleagues. It is meant to set an example for the transport sector and that is where I'm focusing," Omar said. -- Sapa