Another Gauteng health official quits
Gauteng health's suspended director of mental health, Dr Mmakgabo Manamela, has resigned from her position with immediate effect.
Manamela's resignation follows a day after the head of department, Dr. Barney Selebano, also tendered his resignation.
Provincial spokesperson Thabo Masebe says the Office of the Premier received Manamela's resignation letter on Wednesday afternoon.
Gauteng health's suspended director of mental health Dr Mmakgabo Manamela has resigned with immediate effect. #LifeEsidimeni
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) January 17, 2018
"She now officially is no longer an employee of the Gauteng government. Since she has resigned we will not be able to proceed with her disciplinary hearing."
Both Manamela and Selebano were officials whom appeared before the Life Esidimeni arbitration process to explain their roles in the decision to move psychiatric patients to unregistered NGOs.
ALSO READ: Manamela refutes claims she manipulated the system: Life Esidimeni hearings
Manamela had signed the licenses that were issued to 27 NGOs, ultimately authorising the organisations to take in mentally-ill patients.
She was accused of manipulating licences to suit her needs and that of the department - a claim which she denied.
ALSO READ: Manamela: I am saddened by Life Esidimeni deaths
"I am a professional who accepts the rules and I cannot manipulate anybody while I am dealing with people's lives. I don't agree with that manipulation," she told the arbitration hearing.