The figure, attributed to the department's HIV and Syphilis Antenatal Sero-prevalence Survey, is far higher than the estimate of 4.5 million given by the official state statistics agency, Statistics SA.
"Last year's figure prompted the department to speculate that the pandemic might be slowing, but the latest data suggest this is not happening," the statement from the department said.
The Health Department has published the shocking new figures on South Africa's HIV/AIDS toll on its website, in a move likely to stir political controversy and cast unflattering light on the accuracy of official statistics, local daily Business Day said.
DA health spokeswoman, Dianne Kohler-Barnard, said the release of the report following the use of the act was "a triumph." "If this pandemic is to be dealt with effectively, it must be brought out into the open."
