Life Esidimeni deaths: Calls for former health MEC to be charged with culpable homicide

Democratic Alliance (DA) shadow Health MEC in Gauteng Jack Bloom says former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu should be charged with culpable homicide.

This comes after the Pretoria High Court on Wednesday found Mahlangu guilty of negligence which led to the deaths of mentally ill patients.

The judgement follows a lengthy inquest into the deaths of 144 mentally ill patients in Gauteng between 2015 and 2016.

DA calls for former MEC to be charged

“It is highly significant that Qedani Mahlangu was held accountable because politicians normally blame officials. So I think it is a very good precedent to hold politicians accountable and I do believe that a charge of culpable homicide should be laid against Qedani Mahlangu,” he told The Citizen.

ALSO READ: Former Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu responsible for Life Esidimeni, court rules

After the scandal, Mahlangu stepped out of the political limelight. There were reports of her studying overseas but Bloom said she needs to come back to Gauteng to account.

“I wonder where she is? Some were saying she is now running a chicken farm in Mpumalanga,” Bloom said.

The Head of Mental Health in Gauteng Makgabo Manamela was also implicated in the deaths of some of the patients.

Bloom said the state should explore more charges, including offences related to the care of mentally ill patients.

ALSO READ: Life Esidimeni: Patients’ transfer ‘not a rushed job’ – Qedani Mahlangu

“There are all sorts of charges you can lay. Charges under the Mental Healthcare Act, also the National Health Act,” Bloom said.

The purpose of the inquest was for the court to determine who should be held accountable for the deaths of 144 mentally ill patients who died after they were transferred from Life Esidimeni facilities in 2015 and 2016 to ill-equipped Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs).

“The people at the NGOs should not get away scot-free. Neither should other officials who have a role,” said Bloom.

He said while the inquest was primarily focused on details about the deaths, and who should be held responsible for them, there were other factors that caused suffering to the people involved.

Bloom said the DA would read the full judgement before taking further action.