Former health official denies involvement

A FORMER Gauteng department of health official has continued to distance himself from active involvement in the early stages of the Life Esidimeni project.

Dr Richard Lebethe took the stand at the inquest yesterday and detailed what transpired during his tenure as acting head of clinical services when the Life Esidimeni project was undertaken by the government.

The inquest, heard virtually in the High Court Pretoria, is investigating whether anyone should be held criminally liable for the deaths of 144 psychiatric patients who died after they were moved to several NGOs in 2016.

Lebethe, during questioning, repeatedly distanced himself from active involvement in the project to move the patients.

He insisted that he only became involved once deaths were reported at some of the NGOs.

Advocate Lufuno Maphanywa questioned Lebethe on the deaths reported at Takalani, an NGO in Soweto.

A total of 15 patients died at the facility.

Maphanywa asked Lebethe why he had recommended the NGO.

It emerged that Lebethe had paid a visit to the NGO before patients were allocated to it and recommended its appointment.

He testified that he saw the facility as fit to provide accommodation for the patients.

"Takalani was an active NGO, there was a ward placed aside for mental health users and there was a plan to transfer them there. I was in Bara and had a look at it and walked around," he told the inquest.

Maphanywa further asked Lebethe what he made of the final outcome, particularly the death of the 15 patients.

Evidence leader Pieter Luyt interjected and objected to the relevance of the questions posed by Maphanywa.

The question was later dismissed by Judge Mmonoa Teffo.

In the second part of his cross-examination, Lebethe was questioned by advocate Thabang Pooe, legal representative for the families of the 44 patients who died.

Pooe’s questions focused on Lebethe’s testimony and his assertion that he was never actively involved in the project to move patients.

Lebethe denied any knowledge of two letters and correspondence from concerned health officials who had apparently warned against moving psychiatric patients in large groups.