In a landmark judgment delivered at the Pretoria High Court today, former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu has been held liable for some of the 141 deaths of mentally ill patients who perished under neglect, starvation, and dehydration in 2015 and 2016.
The patients had been transferred from Life Esidimeni facilities to Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), a decision that has been widely criticised as reckless and inhumane.
Judge Mmonoa Teffo’s judgement comes after a lengthy and complex legal battle to determine the cause of the deaths and whether any individual’s conduct contributed to the tragic loss of life.
In addition to Mahlangu, former head of mental health in the Gauteng health department, Makgabo Manamela, was also held responsible for the deaths of at least nine Life Esidimeni patients.
The Life Esidimeni tragedy has been a dark stain on South Africa’s healthcare system, exposing the devastating consequences of neglect and maladministration.
Today’s judgement brings some measure of justice to the families of the victims, who have waited years for accountability.
