The allegedly real number of former Randfontein Life Esidimeni patients who have died since being transferred is a figure nearly double what has been made public.
Jack Bloom, DA Shadow MEC for Health, claims the real number of psychiatric patient who have died is actually 60.
“I am horrified at the claim made today that the real figure is 60 deaths rather than the 37 that have been publicly acknowledged by the department,” Bloom said.
Relatives of former Life Esidimeni patients have also recently taken to gathering outside the Gauteng Department of Health, wanting Qedani Mahlangu, the Gauteng MEC for Health, fired.
#StopKillingPsychPatients #Esidimeni37 @GautengHealth @HealthZA @Zwelinzima1 @JackBloomDA @AdvDali_Mpofu pic.twitter.com/AL5rTvehB0
— Health & Allied Workers Indaba Trade Union (@NursesIndaba) October 29, 2016
“I support their demand that the Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu, should accept responsibility for these deaths and resign or be fired by Premier David Makhura,” Bloom said.
Since the Esidimeni saga, Bloom has started a Mahlangu Monitor on Twitter under #MahlanguMustGo on his official Twitter account @JackBloomDA. The monitor serves to note how long it takes before Makhura fires Mahlangu. The monitor now stands at 48 days and counting.
45 DAYS and Gauteng Health MEC has STILL not been fired for deaths of patients #MahlanguMustGo pic.twitter.com/V5o79UQ4kI
— Jack Bloom (@JackBloomDA) October 28, 2016
Bloom is still waiting for a reply to questions he sent to Mahlangu six weeks ago about the number of psychiatric patients who have died at each of the non-governmental organisations (NGOs) they were sent to.
“This question is more than two weeks overdue for a reply. As more facts come to light, the situation looks worse and worse,” said Bloom.
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