Psychiatric patient deaths: cabinet urges action on culprits

THE GAUTENG premier must ensure disciplinary steps are taken against provincial Health Department officials implicated in health ombudsman Malegapuru Makgoba’s report into the deaths of more than 100 patients transferred from the Life Esidimeni to unlicensed NGOs, the cabinet said yesterday.

“The action being taken by the Premier of Gauteng David Makhura, based on the report of the health ombudsman, is welcomed.

“Cabinet further calls on Premier Makhura to ensure that appropriate disciplinary action is taken against all who may have conducted themselves improperly or negligently.”

On Wednesday, Parliament’s portfolio and select committees on health heard the chilling story of how more than 100 psychiatric patients died of starvation and dehydration at the NGOs that were unlicensed, and how Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi was blindsided by then Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and officials in her department. Mahlangu has since resigned.

It emerged that the national department’s head of non-communicable diseases, Melvyn Freeman, knocked on closed doors when he tried to get information when there were signs that something was amiss following the transfer of patients.

“According to me, there was a deliberate attempt not to allow him into any of the meetings,” Motsoaledi said.

Makgoba said the licences of the NGOs were signed by a director of the Gauteng Health Department, Dr Makgabo Manamela, who later admitted she was not qualified to do so.

Both Manamela and the provincial head of the Health Department, Barney Selebano, admitted they knew the licences were not correctly approved. However, Selebano later went to the NGOs and signed new licences, which he backdated.

Makgoba said this was akin to “tampering with evidence”. “When the HoD (head of department) comes and gives you evidence under oath, under affirmation, goes around to NGOs signing licences, that is an example of tampering with licences.” The ombudsman recommended disciplinary hearings against implicated officials, and the matter has also been referred to the police for investigation.

Earlier this month, Selebano was placed on precautionary suspension. He and several of his officials have indicated they would challenge the ombudsman’s report.