Johnathan Paoli
The North Gauteng High Court has found that the deaths of nine Life Esidimeni patients was caused by the negligent conduct of former Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, former Mental Health Directorate head Makgabo Manamela.
Handing down inquest judgement on Wednesday in Pretoria, Judge Mmonoa Teffo said Mahlangu and Manamela repeatedly ignored warnings about the consequences of terminating the contract.
“I have come to the conclusion that the deaths of the following nine patients were negligently caused by the conduct of Mahlangu and Manamela,” she stated.
This follows months of testimony in the inquest to determine if anyone should be held criminally liable for the 2016 tragedy in which 144 mental health patients died an inhuman death because of neglect and starvation.
The National Prosecuting Authority is expected to make a decision regarding bringing formal charges against the pair, but had not commented at the time of publishing.
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