The Gauteng Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee of Health supports the ongoing arbitration hearing process on Life Esidemeni. The Portfolio Committee welcome and appreciate the Gauteng Government led by Premier Hon David Makhura and Leader of Government Business MEC Hon Barbara Creecy in cooperating with the arbitration process by availing themselves to testify.
The Portfolio Committee has noted testimonies provided by the former HOD Dr Barney Selebano, former Director of Mental Health, Dr Makgabo Manamela and former MEC Hon Qedani Mahlangu and it is regrettable that vulnerable mentally ill patients were treated badly and their human rights were violated due to negligence. During it’s oversight process, the Committee found out that some of the NGOs were ill equipped and had shortage of skilled staff such as nurses, occupational therapist and psychiatric doctors. The Portfolio Committee also observed that some of the patients were transferred from Life Esidimeni to NGOs without medical records and could not be provided with proper treatment on time. The Portfolio Committee would like to see justice being done by holding those responsible accountable to their actions.
The Portfolio Committee will exercise its constitutional mandate of overseeing the implementation of the recommendations of the arbitration process to ensure that a catastrophe of this magnitude does not happen in future. The Portfolio Committee will also provide support to the affected families.
Issued by the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee of Health, Hon Nompi Nhlapo
For enquiries please contact Mr Abe Mokoka 011 498 5412 or 079 882 5425 or e-mail: amokoka@gpl.gov.za
