DA: Former health MEC must account at Esidimeni hearings

The DA has called on chairperson Justice Dikang Moseneke to subpoena Mahlangu so she is able "to account for her actions".

The DA's Jack Bloom says Mahlangu is the only person who will be able to give reasons as to why she insisted on cancelling the Life Esidimeni contract.

"It is essential that she accounts for her actions as she insisted on cancelling the Esidimeni contract for mental health patients despite warnings that this would result in disaster. They [the relatives of the deceased patients] will not have closure until they hear the full truth from the person most responsible for this immense human tragedy."

Some 141 psychiatric patients died after being transferred from Life Esidimeni facilities to unlawful NGOs when the Gauteng Health Department terminated the contract in 2016.

There has been no indication that Mahlangu will testify, as she is not on the list of witnesses. 

Bloom says the DA hopes Moseneke will use everything necessary to force Mahlangu to appear before the arbitration process.

"Relatives of the deceased patients are unanimous that she be summonsed to the arbitration hearings, and their wishes should be respected."