Picture: for illustration purposes
The Life Esidimeni inquest reconvened on Thursday at the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Pretoria where SECTION27 and AfriForum's private prosecution unit pleaded that the court foist criminal charges against pivotal witnesses. They propelled for culpable homicide charges against Qedani Mahlangu, Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Makgabo Manamela, ex-Gauteng mental health head, and Ethel Ncube, Precious Angels NGO's owner, associated with the 2015 Life Esidimeni aftermath.
The inquest began in July 2021 with a purpose to determine the liability and cause behind the deaths of 141 vulnerable mental healthcare users. The victims were shifted from the Life Esidimeni health facility to non-governmental organisations in 2016 following Gauteng Department of Health's decision to terminate its standing contract with Life Esidimeni. The casualties part of more than 1,500 patients moved from the facility due to the abrogation of the contract.
Advocate Adila Hassim, representative of SECTION27, presented to the court under the guidance of Judge Mmonoa Teffo, that a minimum of 10 deaths amongst the victims were directly linked to the conducts of Mahlangu, Manamela and Ncube. Mahlangu, despite the voiced concerns of her officials and experts, insisted on the urgent implementation of the termination while being aware of its risks, thereby making her criminally responsible for the fatalities.
The case against Manamela was based on her role as the project leader, licensing ill-equipped NGOs for the care of mental health patients. As for Ncube, despite the evident inefficiencies and lack of government support, continued enrolling patients significantly contributing to the human tragedy.
Echoing these charges, Phyllis Vorster of AfriForum’s private prosecution unit also motioned for murder charges against Mahlangu, Manamela, and others for their roles in the fatal episode. The status of these charges rest on Teffo's decision on the involvement and the consequences of the actions of these officials, thus nudging the National Prosecuting Authority to consider prosecution.