EFF wants Makhura behind bars for deaths

Economic Freedom Fighters in the Gauteng Legislature will not rest until all those responsible for the Life Esidimeni saga are put behind bars, including Premier David Makhura, according to the EFF’s Gauteng provincial chairperson, Mandisa Mashigo.

The EFF’s motion of no confidence in Makhura was defeated by the ANC majority in the legislature yesterday.

The vote was 37 against and 29 in favour with one abstention, by the IFP.

Speaker Ntombi Mekgwe said the motion required 48 votes in favour to be carried, through or for Makhura to be removed as premier.

In her motion, EFF MPL Christina Mabala called for Makhura’s removal as premier in terms of section 130 (3) of the constitution.

“The premier is no longer fit to continue his duties, having been complicit in the death of 100 psychiatric patients,” Mabala said.

She said the provincial government must submit a report on how it planned to compensate for the death of more than 100 mental patients after being transferred from Life Esidimeni to illegal facilities at nongovernmental organisations.

“The termination of the Life Esidimeni contract is suspicious. Moreover, the association of the government with illegal institutions is deeply concerning,” Mabala said.

DA health spokesperson Jack Bloom said Makhura should have been shocked enough by the initial 36 deaths to demand that then health MEC Qedani Mahlangu resign.

But ANC chief whip Brian Hlongwa criticised the motion as having a clear objective as a publicity stunt.

He said the opposition DA, which supported the motion, had suggested that the process would present an opportunity for media interviews and photo opportunities.

In January, EFF laid murder charges at the Johannesburg Central police station against former health MEC Mahlangu, the provincial government and officials behind the patients’ transfers.

EFF’s Mashigo said the police must also investigate all the NGOs and the transport companies that were hired to ferry them from Esidimeni to the NGO facilities.

The ANC’s Hlongwa said no stone would be left unturned to ensure accountability on the Esidimeni deaths.