October is not just Mental Health Month. October is also Life Esidimeni Month. Let us hope it is Accountability Month, as well.
It is now three months since Judge Teffo’s ruling that criminal charges be brought against, among others, Qedani Mahlangu, the former Gauteng Health MEC, and Dr Makgabo Manamela.
The Timeline
In October 2015 the former Gauteng MEC Qedani Mahlangu announced the termination of its contract with Life Esidimeni, a private healthcare provider caring for mentally ill patients.
In October 2016, six months after the transfer of patients, to mostly unlicensed NGOs began, despite concerns raised by families, mental health professionals, and advocacy groups about these NGOs’ ability to provide adequate care, South Africans were shocked to hear reports of malnutrition, dehydration, neglect, and inadequate medical care resulting in numerous deaths.
In January 2017 former Health Ombudsman, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, released his report, “The Life Esidimeni Disaster,” revealing that 144 patients died due to negligence and inhumane conditions. The report identifies 27 unlicensed NGOs involved in patient care.
In October 2017 arbitrator Justice Dikgang Moseneke was appointed to lead arbitration hearings, giving families of the victims a platform to seek justice.
In March 2018 Justice Moseneke delivered the arbitration ruling ordering the Gauteng Department of Health to compensate families for constitutional damages, emotional trauma, and funeral costs. He condemned the government’s gross negligence and failure to protect vulnerable patients.
The Inquest
In April 2022, a formal judicial inquest began at the High Court in Pretoria to determine whether the individuals involved can be held criminally liable for the deaths. The inquest heard testimonies from family members, medical professionals, and NGO workers.
The judgment in the Life Esidimeni Inquest was delivered on 10 July 2024 by Judge Mmonoa Teffo. The court found that Qedani Mahlangu, the former Gauteng Health MEC, and Dr Makgabo Manamela, the former Director of Mental Health Services, were directly and negligently responsible for the deaths of nine patients, which were part of the larger tragedy in which 144 mental healthcare patients died between 2015 and 2016. While this inquest focused on nine specific deaths out of the 144, the Judge’s findings recognised their broader responsibility for the overall disaster.
This judgment marks a historic moment in holding government officials personally accountable for their roles in the tragedy.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is now expected to pursue criminal charges against those implicated, including Mahlangu and Manamela but, to date, has taken no action.
Must the families and country wait another 8 years to see justice done finally?
Let Life Esidimeni not be another shameful scandal to be swept under the carpet.