Families of the Life Esidimeni victims call on NPA for speedy prosecution

The families of the Life Esidimeni victims have called on the National Prosecuting Authority to prioritise the prosecution of two former government officials believed to have caused the death of some mental health patients. More than 140 people died in 2016 during a botched transfer project that moved psychiatric patients from private facilities to ill-equipped State hospitals and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). Earlier this year, an inquest ruled that the negligent conduct of former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and former Gauteng Mental Health Director Dr Makgabo Manamela caused at least nine of the deaths. Phemelo speaks to Christine Nxumalo whose sister, Virginia died in 2016, Section 27 Executive Director, Sasha Stevenson and DA Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom.