Gauteng Premier breaks silence on patient deaths

6 December 2016

Gauteng Premier David Makhura has finally broken his silence over the deaths of 37 psychiatric patients after they were transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni earlier this year.

Speaking today in the Gauteng Legislature in his political report for the year he said "the deinstitutionalization of mental health patients with a correct policy could have been handled better" and that he awaited the findings of the investigation of the Health Ombudsman.

Furthermore "should it be found that government officials have acted improperly or negligently, I will act without fear, favour or prejudice."

I welcome his comments in this matter but they are rather mild. He should have acted earlier and fired Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu.

He has also been slow to meet with the affected families which he now says he will do in the next two weeks.

Makhura's reputation has suffered because of continuing problems in the Gauteng Health Department which needs a capable new MEC as soon as possible.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 6 December 2016