Esidimeni sign of ‘a sick system’

The sounds of the struggle chant Senzeni Na? (What have we done?) rang outside the Life Esidimeni hearings yesterday as protesters made their point that the tragedy was only one symptom of a sick health system.

The protest was led by the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC) and began during the tea break of the hearings. Protesters held up white crosses to signify death as the deputy general secretary of the TAC, Vuyokazi Gonyela, addressed the crowd. “The Gauteng health system is failing many of our communities, Life Esidimeni being a perfect example. These 143 deaths are unacceptable and have left so many families angry, confused and in mourning.” She continued: “Thus far, we have not realised justice for the victims and their families.

“Neither have we seen any government official provide answers and take full responsibility. “Although the arbitration hearings have asked the three highest-ranking former government officials publically involved to testify, we believe there are still many remaining in the government who should be held accountable for lives lost.

“Life Esidimeni is the tip of the iceberg in a very sick healthcare system. “We believe that there will be repetitions of this tragedy in the near future.”

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