Qedani has blood on her hands

JUDGE: EX-MEC, MEDIC CAUSED DEATHS OF 9 PATIENTS

- Thando Nondywana

Hope of prosecutions after inquest in Life Esidimeni scandal.

Now that the High Court in Pretoria has found former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and mental health director Dr Makgabo Manamela responsible for the deaths of some of the people in the Life Esidimeni health care scandal, activists are hoping that prosecutions will follow.

A total of 144 mental health patients died in 2016 after they were transferred to ill-prepared nongovernmental organisations (NGOs) from private health care provider Life Esidimeni.

Sasha Stevenson, director of advocacy group Section27, said although there has not been a governmental response to the tragedy, the court inquest finding was a critical step in holding the relevant people accountable.

"The inquest has been a very important step in the fight for justice. Following the judgment, we hope the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) will decide to prosecute the individuals responsible for the deaths of the people, many of whom were mental health care patients," she said.