SENIOR OFFICIALS ‘LIED’ TO OMBUD’S PROBE
THE Gauteng department of health lied, tampered with evidence and failed to cooperate with the health ombudsman investigation into the deaths of 94 mental ill patients.
Ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba yesterday released a damning report of his office’s investigation into “Circumstances Surrounding the Deaths of Mentally Ill Patients in Gauteng Province and Advice on Way Forward”.
Only one patient died from mentally-ill related illness while the others died from negligence, dehydration and diarrhoea.
The report implicated head of department Dr Tieho Selebano, director of mental health Dr Makgabo Manamela and other senior officials in the department.
Makgoba recommended that Gauteng premier David Makhura consider the suitability of MEC Qedani Mahlangu and that disciplinary action be taken against Selebano and Manamela for gross misconduct and/or incompetence.
He said the two officials’ conduct during the investigation included tampering with evidence and recommended Makhura should consider suspending them. And that the findings of their disciplinary hearings be reported to their respective professional bodies.
“The ombud fully supports the ongoing police and forensic investigations under way.
“The findings and outcomes of these investigations must be shared with appropriate agencies”
Makgoba said the Gauteng mental health marathon project was done in a rush, with chaotic execution, in an environment with no tradition, no culture of primary healthcare communitybased service framework.
In some instances, licences were issued to NGOs that didn’t comply with the law.
Most of the NGOs where they died had neither basic competence nor experience, and were poorly resourced.
He said the department had violated the human rights of patients and there was prima facie evidence that certain officials and NGOs violated the constitution and contravened the National Health Act and the Mental Health Care Act.
“Some … of the projects [showed] a total disregard of the rights of patients and their families, including … the right to human dignity, right to life, right to freedom and security …”