MEC Creecy added to the Life Esidimeni witness list

GAUTENG Finance MEC Barbara Creecy will be called to the stand to either corroborate or refute the testimony of one of her former colleagues in the arbitration hearings looking into the deaths of 143 mentally ill patients.

Testifying this week about the transfer of patients from the Life Esidimeni facility to several unregistered NGOs – which led to the deaths of patients mostly from dehydration, starvation and negligence – former health MEC Qedani Mahlangu blamed financial constraints.

Creecy, who was not on the official witness list, would be called to provide clarity on the provincial Health Department’s finances after State advocate Tebogo Hutamo said her testimony was crucial to provide evidence on questions for which they do not have answers.

The provincial Health Department said the decision to move the patients was aimed at cutting costs as they were spending R320 per patient per day as opposed to R112 a day – the price NGOs were charging.

Legal representatives from Legal Aid and Section 27 expressed concern over the addition to the witness list, fearing it would prolong the hearings.

Chairman of the hearings, retired deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke said Creecy’s testimony was relevant as it would provide answers on whether cost cutting was the real reason behind the termination of the department’s contract with Life Esidimeni. Creecy is expected to testify on Tuesday. – African News Agency/ANA