Malema commends ANC Gauteng for ‘taking responsibility’

Leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Julius Malema has come out to commend the ANC in Gauteng for “taking responsibility” for the deaths of 94 mentally ill patients, but also added that more needs to be done.

He says that unlike what had happened after Marikana in 2012, where 34 miners were gunned down by the police, the Gauteng ANC has taken responsibility.

Former MEC for health in Gauteng Qedani Mahlangu resigned on Wednesday after the health ombudsman’s report found that she and other senior health officials were found to have been hasty to move over 1 300 patients from the care of Life Healthcare Esidimeni to non-governmental organisations that were not legally permitted to house them.

Life Esidimeni had been offering their services to the Gauteng health department for 40 years before Mahlangu terminated their contract.

Malema says that although Mahlangu “took responsibility” by resigning, “we need more”.

“Unlike in Marikana some politician took some responsibility by resigning, that’s something positive about this @GautengANC but we need more.”

Unlike in Marikana some politician took some responsibility by resigning, that's something positive about this @GautengANC but we need more

— Julius Sello Malema (@Julius_S_Malema) February 2, 2017

The EFF released a statement on Wednesday calling for Mahlangu to be criminally charged. The party also called for Gauteng premier David Makhura to resign.

“We therefore call for criminal charges to be instituted against the Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and all who are involved in government and concerned NGOs. We call on Makhura’s government to all step down as this is direct consequence of their incompetence.

“Criminalizing Qedani Mahlangu alone, who served at the pleasure of the Premier, is wrong. In full recognition of this massacre, Makhura must step down.

“Not only is the termination of the Life Esidimeni contract suspicious, but the liaison of a government office with illegal institutions is gravely concerning. How can such an occurrence of so illegal proportions happen without the premier knowing? This demonstrates his very incompetence and mediocrity!”