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The Democratic Alliance supports the march today by the families of Life Esidimeni patients to the NPA offices in Pretoria to demand justice for those who suffered and died in this tragedy.

There has been too much delay in charging culpable people since Judge Mmonoa Teffo gave her inquest findings on 10 July this year.

Judge Teffo found that former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and mental health director Makgabo Manemela were negligent in causing the deaths of nine Life Esidimeni patients.

They should surely be charged with culpable homicide, and other charges should be laid against all those who can be identified in causing the suffering of the Esidimeni patients.

These include contraventions of the Mental Health Care Act and the National Health Act, as well as fraud in licensing the NGOs and other matters.

The DA will continue to push for criminal charges to be laid as soon as possible, and a court date should expedited so that justice is seen to be done without further delay.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health