The Pretoria High Court has finally made a ruling on the Life Esidimedi mental health centre tragedy. According to the ruling, former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu’s carelessness was the reason behind the deaths of some of the patients from the facility. The patients were transferred to unprepared nongovernmental organisations.
Judge Jowie Teffo made this ruling on Wednesday. This after determining that Mahlangu, Anchor NGO head Dorothy Franks, and mental health director Makgabo Manemela could all be held accountable for the 2016 deaths of the Life Esidimeni patients.
Teffo stated that Mahlangu disregarded professional advice in her ruling on Wednesday.
MEC terminated contract despite warnings
“Mahlangu proceeded to terminate the contract between the Life Esidimeni care centre and the department. Despite the warnings from experts.”
Life Esidimeni Family Committee member Christine Nxumalo said the families are relieved. She said the victims’ families are elated that the judge attended to every detail of the inquest.
“Of course we are not completely happy because we lost our loved ones. My sister died in all of that. But today was a confirmation that the eight years that we were fighting for what is right was not in vain. We hope that the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will not fail us. With the judgement that was handed down today, we can not accept anything less from the NPA,” said Nxumalo.
Nxumalo said she had been positive about the inquest because the judge paid attention to details. She called all of the officials involved in the matter out and took intense note of everything.
“We will need a break down of what the judgment entails and sit down to discuss a way forward. As we await the NPA.”
Premier Lesufi relieved
Meanwhile, Gauteng premier Panyaza Lesufi said the province fully accepts the judgment on the Life Esidimeni tragedy.
“We are pleased this process is nearing its end. … It brought so much pain and suffering to those who lost their loved ones. As well as the survivors whose human rights were grossly violated by this tragedy. This judgement closes a painful chapter. Not only for the affected families, but for us as the Gauteng provincial government,” said Lesufi.
He went on to say that the provincial government sympathises with the bereaved and affected families.
“We understands that the Life Esidimeni inquest was incredibly important. …It was important for families to find closure and for accountability,” Lesufi added.
The inquest into Life Esidimeni was established in July 2021. It was looking into deaths of 144 mental health patients. Twenty-one other patients remain missing since 2016.
ActionSA calls for criminalisation of undue political interference
Meanwhile, ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape commented on the ruling. He said the tragic Life Esidimeni was reason enough to fast-track quality assurance standards on dignified care.
“Noting the complexity with which the findings articulate the culpability for the causes of deaths. [This includes] the handling of the deceased patients, …ActionSA believes that the High Court’s judgment leaves no ambiguity. [It proves] that the circumstances of the deaths of all 144 patients fall at the hands of the negligence. The negligence of the Gauteng department of health,” said Letlape.
“We further regard this tragedy as clear justification. It justifies the need to criminalise undue political interference in the operational work of government departments. [Particularly] when [the interference] extends beyond reasonable oversight. The conduct of implicated officials also underscores the urgent need to professionalise the civil service. And to do so with skilled professionals,” Letlape adds.
