Warning for ‘sick’ doctor

The suspended director of mental health in Gauteng, Dr Makgabo Manamela, will be issued with a warrant of arrest should she fail to avail herself tomorrow to testify about the deaths of more than 140 patients from the Life Esidimeni psychiatric facility, the dispute resolution committee set up to probe the tragedy ruled yesterday.

Manamela, pictured, was implicated after the health ombudsman, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, released a report in February this year into the deaths, which he ruled was as a result of the botched transfers of patients from Life Esidimeni to unregistered NGOs in Gauteng.

Manamela failed to show up at the arbitration hearings yesterday morning, claiming through her lawyer that she was too sick to testify.

Earlier, Lerato Mashilane asked for a short adjournment, telling the hearing that his client was consulting a doctor.

“My instructions is that my client will be here on Thursday and a medical certificate with that regard will be given before this arbitration.”

Advocate Adila Hassim, acting for Section 27, expressed her dissatisfaction with the lack of a medical certificate and having to rely on Mashilane’s word.

Advocate Dirk Groenewald, representing families of the deceased, insisted that a warrant of arrest be issued as Manamela had failed to show up or provide a medical certificate.

Justice Dikgang Moseneke, who is chairing the hearing, said the move might be premature because chances were Manamela’s reasons might be genuine and, if that was the case, it would be a waste of the court’s time to issue a warrant of arrest. – ANA