The High Court in Pretoria is set to deliver judgment in the Life Esidimeni inquest tomorrow, July 10, after a lengthy investigation into the tragic deaths of 141 mental health patients.
The inquest, which was initially scheduled for June 28, aimed to determine the cause of the deaths and whether any individual’s conduct directly contributed to the tragedy.
In 2015 and 2016, 1,711 mentally ill patients were transferred from Life Esidimeni facilities to unprepared NGOs, resulting in the devastating loss of life.
Section27, which represented some of the patients’ families, stated that the National Prosecuting Authority will decide on potential criminal prosecution after the judgment.
The arbitration hearing, led by retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke in 2018, found that the rights of mentally ill patients and their families were grossly violated. Moseneke described the conditions the patients endured as “torturous” and ordered compensation for the families.
The 2017 report by then Health Ombud Malegapuru Makgoba recommended disciplinary action against government officials, apologies to the families, and the dismantling of the programme.
Tomorrow’s judgment is a crucial step towards justice for the victims and their families.
Photo: Gaopalelwe Phalaetsile
