Mahlangu seeks legal advice following Life Esidimeni ruling

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Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu says she is consulting her lawyers. This after the Inquest into the Life Esidimeni tragedy found that she and former Gauteng Mental Health Head Dr Makgabo Manamela should be held responsible for the deaths of 144 mental healthcare users who died in 2016.

After 8 years of denying any culpability in the deaths of the 144 Life Esidemeni patients, judge Mmonoa Teffo ruled on Wednesday that in some of the deaths both the former Gauteng health MEC and the Head of mental health were negligent.

The 2021 inquest was set up to determine the cause of the deaths. Giving testimony in May 2023 Qedhani Mahlangu testified claiming she was unaware that licences issued to NGOs that housed the mental health patients were fake.

However, judge Teffo in her judgment handed down virtually stated that Mahlangu terminated the contract with Life Esidemeni despite expert advice and warnings from health professionals.

Mahlangu declined to comment on the judgment but told SABC News she is obtaining legal advice.

Judge Mmonoa Teffo has found that former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and former head of mental health services Dr Makgabo Manamela could have prevented the deaths of 144 patients who died in the #LifeEsidimeni tragedy.https://t.co/sU5hb1nNj8 pic.twitter.com/I5qkHEGRvm

— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 10, 2024

Life Esidimeni Inquest | Analysis on the expected judgment with Hasina Gori

‘Criminal charges’

Convenor of the Progressive Health Forum Dr Aslam Dasso says trained health staff should have upheld their oath of office over political pressure.

Dr Dasoo was reacting to the inquest judgment that found that Mahlangu and Dr Manamela negligently caused the death of Life Esidimeni victims.

He says Mahlangu and Manamela should face criminal charges.

Mahlangu, Manamela negligently caused deaths – Dr Aslam Dasoo weighs in