We should hang our heads in shame

IN 2012, police shot and killed 34 striking min- ers at Marikana in North West, a massacre that shocked the world and underlined how far our country had lurched from the ideals of the Nel- son Mandela era. This week we’ve discovered how much further our politicians and officials can lurch with the rev- elation the Gauteng Department of Health effect- ively sentenced 94 mentally ill patients to death. Some were starved, others died from thirst in scenes of unimaginable neglect after the provin- cial department of health ignored warnings and pleas to reconsider its precipitous move to “de- institutionalise” hundreds of psychiatric patients, transferring them from Life Healthcare Esidimeni to ill-equipped and under-resourced NGOs. Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu resigned in the wake of the report – a move almost unheard of in South African politics. However, health ombudsman Professor Malega- puru Makgoba named another 11 of her officials whom he regards as culpable. They must all face the consequences of their callous bungle. The ombudsman has recommended officials face disciplinary action, apologise and pay compensa- tion to the affected families and that the national health department review the NGOs and legal pro- ceedings or administrative action be taken against NGOs which had operated unlawfully. Crucial is his recommendation that the minister of health request the South African Human Rights Commission to undertake a “systematic and sys- temic review of human rights compliance and pos- sible violations” related to mental health through- out South Africa. This would be a major move towards ensuring this vulnerable sector of our populace is adequate- ly protected from further abuse and neglect. Our founding father, Nelson Mandela, pointed out a nation should be judged on how it treats its most needy citizens. The Life Esidimeni patients experienced exactly the opposite, tragically failed by uncaring and care- less officials and politicians. It is a shameful new low in a democratic South Africa.