Makhura slated over delayed Esidimeni payments

THE DA yesterday said 365 claimants of the Life Esidimeni tragedy were still to receive compensation as determined by retired deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke’s arbitration ruling.

“This was revealed today by Premier David Makhura in an oral reply to my questions today in the Gauteng Legislature. He said R164 million had been paid to 134 claimants who were part of the arbitration process, and also to an additional four new claimants,” DA Gauteng spokesperson on health Jack Bloom said yesterday.

According to Bloom,

Makhura said a verification process involving the Master of the High Court had to be done for the remaining 365 claimants as there were disputes pertaining to the rightful person for each claim.

“I am concerned that the payments have been unduly delayed by inefficiency in the Premier’s Office. Furthermore, it would cost about R431mto pay the 365 claimants, but only R118m was provided for in the adjustment budget in November last year.

“Where will the missing R313m to pay all the claimants come from?”

Bloom said he thought it was not possible that all the victims would be paid by the time Makhura ends his term of office on May 8, adding that this was a sad comment by Makhura on a tragedy that would always blight his premiership.

“It is shameful that he has not given a higher priority to expediting full financial redress for the suffering of the Esidimeni victims,” said Bloom.