Mahlangu will have her say

Former Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke yesterday said the ongoing arbitration hearing into the Life Esidimeni tragedy would not conclude without an appearance from former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, pictured, to give her side of the story.

“Let me make it clear that these proceedings will not end until the three witnesses – the [former health] MEC, and doctors [suspended HOD Barney] Selebano and [director of mental health Makgabo] Manamela – who took decisions on this mental health marathon project, appear before this hearing,” said Moseneke.

“We have talked about this in chambers and, as far as I know, there are no differences between the parties specifically regarding these three witnesses for this hearing.

“We agreed that the parties will take necessary steps to subpoena the witnesses under the Arbitration Act, and that any impediments would be brought before me.”

Advocate Adil Hassam, who represents more than 50 families of the Esidimeni victims, said her clients were concerned that there was no sign of provincial health top bosses three weeks into the hearing.

Mahlangu is reportedly furthering her studies in the UK and has said she would be available in November.

The beleaguered Mahlangu is widely blamed for the botched relocation of more than 3 000 former Life Esidimeni patients to unlicensed NGOs, after which 141 of them died due to starvation and neglect.

Fifty nine of the patients are still unaccounted for. – ANA