South Africa: Government officials withhold information from media

On 18 August 2003, at the opening of the Nthabiseng Thutuzela Care Centre at Baragwanath Hospital in Soweto, South Africa, Justice Minister Penuell Maduna said the South African government would not comment on continuing allegations that Deputy President Jacob Zuma tried to solicit a bribe from a French defence contractor linked to South Africa's multi-billion rand arms deal. Maduna also instructed government agencies and persons involved in the investigation not to comment on the issue.