JOHANNESBURG - Families of victims of the Life Esidimeni tragedy say all those implicated on the 2017 Health Ombud’s Report must be prosecuted.
The NPA has now confirmed that it will prosecute individuals implicated following years of investigations.
Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and former mental health director Makgabo Manamela were found to be responsible for the mass transfer of mental health patients to ill-equipped NPOs with no capacity.
The journey to this point has been marked by waiting, uncertainty, and constantly reliving the pain.
For the Makhoba family in Soweto, that pain and frustration have been a constant companion for the past decade.
Their son Christopher Makhoba died mysteriously at the Precious Angels NGO in Pretoria.
He’d been transferred from Life Esidimeni centre without the family’s knowledge.
To this date, they do not know how or when exactly their son died.
In the pursuit of justice for 141 victims, there were key Inquiries and legal actions explored.
Human rights organisation Section 27 supported the families all the way.
The NPA is now confirming that it will prosecute
It says a process to serve those to be charged is already unfolding.
Although the NPA does not want to reveal the names as yet, they say the people to be prosecuted include some former and current Gauteng Health Department officials.
- eNCA's Bafedile Moerane reports.