INQUESTS INTO ESIDIMENI DEATHS STILL NOT FINALISED
None of the 45 inquests into the deaths of former Life Esidimeni patients who died in illegal NGOs have yet been finalized, with delays blamed on “complexity of investigation and delay in obtaining information.”
This is according to Gauteng Community Safety MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
She says that “dockets and enquiry files are still at the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for perusal and decision. The investigation team is attending to some of the queries received from the DPP’s office.”
Furthermore, “the following reports are still outstanding: Clinical reports, blood alcohol reports, toxicology reports and statements as per DPP's queries.”
I am concerned by the slow pace of this investigation more than 18 months after the 144 Esidimeni deaths.
Only five detectives are working on the case, and the police say that no finalization date can be given at this stage.
The police have also not laid any charges in this matter.
The Esidimeni tragedy involved a wide range of crimes, including murder, culpable homicide, corruption, contraventions of the Mental Health Act, fraud, theft, and illegal licenses to NGOs.
We are failed once again by police incompetence which is delaying accountability and punishment in court for all those implicated in the monstrous acts that lead to the deaths of so many helpless people.
Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 15 July 2018
