Minister condemns "orchestrated campaign" against her

Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said in a statement on Monday (13 august 2012) she had noted the "orchestrated and well-coordinated campaign aimed at spreading malicious gossip and blatant lies to discredit the ministry" and her department, Allafrica.com reports.

15 Aug 2012

Recent newspaper reports alleged that the minister had been accused of purging staff and replacing them with close confidants.

The statement said Joemat-Pettersson was determined to get to the root of corruption in the department. "Corruption leads to a lack of service delivery," she said, "it leads to broken promises and ultimately affects the poor among us." She added that her mandate requires her to "ensure food security to households that currently do not enjoy this." She listed her interventions with Walmart and within the small holder farming sector as actions offered "hope to farmers who otherwise would not have the skills or finances and markets to earn incomes."

According to Allafrica.com, Joemat-Pettersson concluded that she - and her staff - would work towards ensuring food security - even as food prices continue to increase - in order to "uplift the lives of the poor."

Read the full article on http://allafrica.com.