S Africa in second condom recall

Free condoms are vital to S Africa's fight against Aids

South Africa's health ministry has recalled millions of condoms, after thousands of the contraceptives failed a safety test.

All of the condoms which failed the test were supplied to the South African government by Kohrs Medical Supplies.

This is the second recall of free government-distributed condoms in South Africa in recent months.

The recalls are a blow to HIV/Aids prevention. More than five million South Africans are HIV positive.

Every year, the South African government distributes more than 400 million condoms in a bid to control both birth rates and sexually transmitted diseases.

But critics have accused the authorities of doing too little to slow the spread of HIV.

In August the government recalled 20 million condoms made by a different company, Zalatex. Only 12 million were recovered.

Two Zalatex employees face charges of fraud and corruption after allegedly bribing a government inspector to approve defective condoms.

In the latest scandal, five out of 13 batches of Kohrs condoms failed an air-burst test, prompting the government to recall the condoms and cancel the contract with Kohrs.

Five other companies are involved in producing condoms for the government.