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I am dismayed that former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu is not on the list of witnesses to appear before the alternative dispute resolution hearings presided over by former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke.

She is undoubtedly the prime cause of the Esidimeni tragedy in which at least 118 mental patients died when she persisted in moving them to unsuitable NGOs despite all the warnings that this would result in disaster.

I support the demand by bereaved relatives that she be subpoenaed to explain her actions and hopefully express sincere remorse that could assist the families with the healing process.

Gauteng Premier David Makhura is due to give evidence and should be quizzed as to why he ignored the pleas to halt the Esidimeni transfers, and did not fire Mahlangu after she disclosed that 36 patients had died in response to my questions in the Legislature on 13 September last year.

Many lives could have been saved if he had acted speedily against Mahlangu when it became clear that lives were being lost.

Makhura should also be asked why the ANC's Integrity Committee has not censured Mahlangu who is still a member of the ANC's provincial executive in Gauteng.

I have been informed that my charge of culpable homicide against Mahlangu has been withdrawn by the Senior Public Prosecutor because of the ongoing police investigation into the Esidimeni deaths.

I anticipate that the evidence will lead to criminal charges against Mahlangu, but if the police do not do this I will again lay charges against her.

It cannot be that she gets off scot free for her monstrous scheme that led to so many deaths.

Issued by DA