Jack Bloom MPL and DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC indicated on Tuesday, 4 September that taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for the deplorable conduct of government which led to the Esidimeni tragedy.
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Bloom said that Gauteng Premier David Makhura is still consulting with stakeholders and legal advisers as to whether former Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu and senior health officials can be forced to use their own money to compensate those affected by the tragedy.
“He said this today in an oral reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature concerning his response to the letter I sent him on 16 July, requesting him to take steps using the Apportionment of Damages Act to recover some of the R159,46 million arbitration award money from Mahlangu, former Head of Department Barney Selebano, and former Chief Director Mental Health, Makgabo Manamela.
“Makhura said that ‘extensive consultation’ was taking place on the issue of the personal liability of the former MEC and officials, including input from the Department of Justice.
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“The Premier should be taking this issue seriously as taxpayers should not have to foot the bill.”
Bloom added that the DA has established that Mahlangu owns assets that are probably worth more than R20 million in total, which should be seized by court action to pay a fair share of the financial recompense to the Esidimeni victims.
“I hope that Makhura does not use imaginary obstacles to avoid legal action to force Mahlangu to pay up from her own money. He has protected her before and should not do so now.”
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