Re-election of Mahlangu ‘unacceptable’

The memories of those who died in the Life Esidimeni tragedy have been dishonoured by Qedani Mahlangu’s re-election to the ANC provincial executive committee in Gauteng‚ the Life Esidimeni family committee says.

Committee members said they were outraged.

By allowing Mahlangu to participate in the PEC‚ the party was effectively condoning the heinous acts perpetrated under her watch‚ they said.

“Qedani Mahlangu is found to have been responsible for the Life Esidimeni tragedy‚ in which over 140 of the most vulnerable members of our society died.

“It is unacceptable that in light of the overwhelming evidence concerning Mahlangu’s integrity and fitness to hold office that she has been re-elected,” committee spokesperson Christine Nxumalo said.

The committee believed Mahlangu was being helped to evade accountability for the tragedy and lamented the fact that her case had been submitted to the ANC’s integrity committee‚ but not heard before she was re-elected to the PEC.

“We still await updates from the police on their criminal investigations‚ including in relation to Mahlangu’s role,” Nxumalo said.

Gauteng ANC deputy chair Panyaza Lesufi acknowledged the backlash over Mahlangu being re-elected.

“It’s quite clear that South Africans want us to act on this matter‚” he said. –