Decision to terminate Life ‘was collective’
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Mahlangu said Gauteng Premier David Makhura knew as early as 2015 about the mental health project.
Asked who made the decision to terminate the Life Esidimeni contract, Mahlangu said: “It was a collective decision. In government, there is never an individual decision.”
She said because Selebano and Manamela were health professionals, she believed they had everything under control. “I had no reason to doubt their professional conduct.” Asked why the two would mislead her, she said: “I really don’t know, Justice.” She said she was shocked that they had lied to her.
When asked about giving the legislature untrue information, Mahlangu insisted that all the information she received was from Manamela and Selebano.
The two former managers resigned last week. In their testimonies last year, they said they were following Mahlangu’s orders. They also talked about a strained relationship in which they couldn’t defy her orders.
Mahlangu insisted Selebano never informed her about problems implementing the project. Instead, she was made aware when the media started asking questions.
She also said she had always been open to speaking to affected family members. Mahlangu said she gave out her personal cellphone number to them, but never received any calls from them.
Mahlangu claimed patients who came from Life Esidimeni to Sterkfontein Hospital were already malnourished and had to be transferred to Kalafong Hospital for medical care.
It was an emotional day for families, who arrived wearing T-shirts depicting their loved ones. During the breaks, they joined Saftu and Treatment Action Campaign, who protested outside the gate of the venue. Security was tight and those who were allowed to go had to go through metal detectors.
Family members held white crosses to signify the people who died. The hearing continues tomorrow.