Former Gauteng Health MEC, Director of Mental Health found negligent in Life Esidimeni deaths

JOHANNESBURG - Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and for Gauteng Mental Health Director Dr Makgabo Manamela were found guilty for causing some of the deaths in the Life Esidimeni saga.

The judgment comes 8 years since over 100 mental health patients died from neglect and starvation.

Families now believe that they will finally get some answers.

The victims were moved from the specialised psychiatric care hospital to ill-equipped and unlicensed NGOs.

This was after former Gauteng Health MEC terminated the contract and closed the facility in 2016.

The Judge Mmonoa Teffo further noted that the former head of Gauteng Mental Health, Dr Makgabo Manamela, who visited some of the NGO's, was well- aware of their lack of equipment and trained staff but continued to push the move of the patients.