JOHANNESBURG, Sept 25, 2008 (AFP) - South Africa's controversial health minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang was stripped of her post on Thursday but was granted a new cabinet position, the country's new President Kgalema Motlanthe announced.

Tshabalala-Msimang was widely criticised for her stance on AIDS and dubbed 'Dr Beetroot' for championing vegetables to fight the pandemic.

She faced increased calls to resign on the back of claims last year that she was convicted of theft while working as a hospital administrator in Botswana three decades ago.