ANCYL to charge Qedani with murder
THE ANCYL in Gauteng will lay a murder charge against former health MEC Qedani Mahlangu following the deaths of 94 psychiatric patients, and the league also called for premier David Makhura to resign.
The league has given Makhura 14 working days to resign or face a sit-in at his office by its members from the province.
The ANCYL made the call late yesterday hours after Makhura had confirmed at a press briefing that he had accepted Mahlangu’s resignation.
Mahlangu resigned on Tuesday night, hours before a damning report by health ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba which implicated her and senior officials in her department regarding the deaths of the psychiatric patients at various NGOs in Gauteng.
They were moved from Life Esidimeni healthcare centre by the department in a move to cut costs. Mahlangu also quit her position as member of the provincial legislature.
The premier has instructed the director-general in his office, Phindile Baleni, to deal with the recommendations of the health ombudsman’s report.
Although the ANCYL accepted the remedial action announced by Makhura, they said more needed to be done than a “mere resignation”.
The league said the deaths were a true reflection of “negligent and poor leadership of the entire leadership of Gauteng government under Makhura”.
The league also called for the ANC’s provincial executive committee to immediately suspend Mahlangu’s membership and take her through a disciplinary committee.
ANCYL provincial chairman Matome Chiloane will lead a team that will open criminal charges against Mahlangu this afternoon.
“The ANCYL further calls for the immediate resignation of the premier whose administration has presided over the cruelty and untimely deaths of innocent patients,” said the party in a statement.
The EFF also supported the move for criminal charges against the beleaguered Mahlangu and all those who were involved.
“Criminalising Mahlangu alone. . . is wrong. In full recognition of this massacre, Makhura must step down,” said EFF spokesman Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
Dr Mzukisi Grootboom‚ chairperson of SA Medical Association, said Mahlangu should be held accountable despite her resignation.