Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Cops probing deaths of ‘only’ 22 patients
THE Gauteng police have confirmed they are investigating the deaths of only 22 psychiatric patients, despite a Health Ombudsman report showing that more than 100 patients died at illegal NGOs in the province.
This was revealed by the Gauteng MEC for Community Safety Sizakele NkosiMalobane when replying to written questions from the DA in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature this week.
The DA ‘s spokesperson on health in the province, Jack Bloom, had earlier asked NkosiMalobane about the progress of criminal cases lodged by his party, as well as by the EFF and Gauteng ANC Youth League chairperson Matome Chiloane.
The parties and the youth league laid criminal charges against senior Gauteng health officials after a damning Health Ombud report revealed that more than 100 patients died while under the care of NGOs that did not have legal certificates to care for psychiatric patients.
Bloom also wanted to know how many inquests were being investigated by the police, as well as the details of criminal charges against officials who were allegedly responsible for the transfer of these patients from Life Esidimeni to the NGOs.
In response, Nkosi- Malobane gave the DA all the details provided to her by the Gauteng Provincial Police Commissioner Deliwe de Lange.
She said the police were investigating the causes of 22 of the deaths. She added that an inability to identify the deceased persons had resulted in inquests being delayed.
According to her, the culpable homicide, corruption and murder charges were individually laid by Bloom, the EFF’s Mandisa Mashego and the youth league’s Chiloane.
Police in Atteridgeville, west of Pretoria, were investigating five cases, including the death of Virginia Makhaphela – whose sister Christinah Nxumalo was at the forefront of the struggle that criminal charges should be laid against government officials.
Reacting to this, Bloom said Gauteng police should give a date when investigations will be finalised for the more than 100 mental health patients.
According to Nkosi- Malobane, the following is outstanding for inquest dockets:
● The total number of persons who died.
● The addresses and particulars of NGOs.
● The statement of the authority person who approved the transfer of patients.
● The chain statements on the handling of the deceased from Precious Angel to Kalafong Hospital.
● The chain statements on the handling of bodies from Kalafong Hospital to the pathologist.
● Photographs taken during the post mortems.
● Medical records kept by Precious Angels.
● Medical records of the deceased from Life Esidimeni.
● Hospital records from Kalafong.
● Statements from families of the deceased.
● Statements from the relevant person from the Department of Health.
● Statements from the owner of Precious Angels.