State to pay Esidemeni claimants R200k each
Want R1.5m for constitutional damage redress
ON TOP of the R200 000 compensation for emotional shock‚ psychological injury and funeral expenses from the State‚ Life Esidimeni families want each claimant to receive R1.5-million for constitutional damage redress.
On Thursday‚ the Life Esidimeni arbitration convened for closing arguments in Parktown‚ Johannesburg.
Though the two parties agreed on the emotional trauma claim under common law‚ in respect of the claim for constitutional damages‚ the State and Section 27 did not reach an agreement.
Section 27 Advocate Adila Hassim said they were claiming constitutional damages because the reasons for the termination of the Life Esidimeni facility were false and the manner in which the patients were treated was an infringement of their human rights.
Hassim also said: “Officials ignored warnings. Families were traumatised by the process.”
Retired deputy chief justice‚ Dikgang Moseneke‚ presiding over the arbitration‚ asked if the fact that the State was cooperating was not a factor to consider.
“We are dealing with an apologetic State in comparison to the State’s response in the Marikana matter‚” Moseneke said. To which Hassim responded‚ “Hearing an explanation or an apology is part of getting redress”.
The State on Thursday confirmed it has agreed to pay out R200 000 to each Life Esidimeni tragedy claimant as compensation.
Breaking down the compensation‚ Hassim said R180 000 is for the emotional trauma and psychological impact while the R20 000 will cover funeral costs. Counselling will also be provided by the State.
The families of 63 deceased mental healthcare users and their legal representatives‚ Section 27‚ welcomed the agreement reached with the State on the common law damages.
The parties also agreed to have a place of remembrance for the victims of the Life Esidimeni tragedy and counselling for bereaved family members.
Between the State and Legal Aid South Africa‚ which represents the survivors‚ no agreement has been reached yet. “We will await to hear from them. On the last communication with Legal Aid‚ an offer related to counselling has been made to them‚” said advocate for the state, Tebogo Hutamo.
Subsequent to the closing arguments‚ Moseneke will have a 30-day deadline to pen a final judgment. —