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ActionSA has written to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to request that the NPA must charge both former Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, and former Gauteng Mental Health Head, Dr Makgabo Manamelaand, following yesterday’s long-overdue Life Esidimeni inquest judgment handed down by the Pretoria High Court. 

Our appeal to the NPA to charge the aforementioned persons comes following Judge Teffo’s ruling, which leaves no ambiguity in the fact that their negligent conduct led to the tragic deaths of numerous mental health patients, with the judge's findings going as far as to rule that these deaths were inevitable.

ActionSA believes that there is urgency in the need for the NPA to act, not only on account of the gravity of the inquest's findings but also to ensure that justice is finally served for both the victims and their families, who have had to bear unspeakable suffering for eight years as a consequence of this tragedy.

This tragic tale underscores the urgent work that the 7th Parliament must embark upon to ensure that through effective oversight and accountability, we work to root out the malignant structural deficiencies, mismanagement, incompetence and criminal negligence within our healthcare system that continues to cost the lives of South Africans.

Eight years on, the tragic irony of the judgement on the 'Life Esidimeni' disaster is that those entrusted with the responsibility of preserving life and dignity made fateful decisions that led to loss of dignity and life!

ActionSA is committed to ensuring that justice is finally served for the victims and their families, and commits, in their memory, to continue fighting for the building of a healthcare system that delivers good quality, dignified medical services to all South Africans, especially the most vulnerable.

Issued by ActionSA Member of Parliament Dr. Kgosi Letlape