Mahlangu’s UK studies suspended
Calls for account on Esidimeni tragedy growing
Organisations that have been pushing for justice for families of mental patients who died after being moved out of Life Esidimeni have expressed relief that Qedani Mahlangu has been suspended from a UK academic institution.
The Global Banking School, which falls under the University of Bedfordshire, released a statement yesterday saying Mahlangu has been suspended from her MBA studies at the institution so that she could attend the Esidimeni hearings.
About 141 psychiatric patients lost their lives last year after they were moved to unregistered NGOs after the Gauteng health department, which was then headed by Mahlangu, cancelled its contract with Life Esidimeni in a bid to cut costs.
Marlien van der Westhuizen, spokeswoman for Solidarity Helping Hand, which is representing some of the families of the deceased, said the organisation always believed that the former MEC should come to account to the Life Esidimeni arbitration hearings, chaired by retired deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke.
“I think that as she has now been suspended, she would probably have to come back to give an account of what happened because she hasn’t had time to defend herself,” she said.
She said by attending the hearings, Mahlangu would also assist in giving the families closure.
Section 27’s Tendai Mafuma said the NGO was not willing to comment on anything relating to the arbitration process .
Gauteng DA health spokesman Jack Bloom said: “I think it is welcome news because it must have been embarrassing for the university [to have its name dragged into the controversy] and I think the university acted appropriately. I think she should come as soon as possible. She was saying that she was only going to come in late January, which is unacceptable...” Bloom said.