Sharp rise in deaths in South Africa is largely due to AIDS

New statistics from the South African government show a 57% increase in the number of deaths between 1997 and 2002. Government statisticians believe that a large proportion of the increase is attributable to AIDS.

The figures have been produced by the country's statistician general of statistics, Pali Lehohla, whose own job is said to be under threat over a series of blunders in other statistical reports. Her position is thought to have been weakened further because this latest report is likely to embarrass President Thabo Mbeki, who has been ambivalent about dealing with the HIV and AIDS epidemic.

In people over 15 years old deaths increased by 62% over the …