DA lays charges over ‘missing’ Life Esidimeni patients

DA lays charges over ‘missing’ Life Esidimeni patients

The Democratic Alliance’s [DA] Jack Bloom says true justice will only be served once criminal charges are laid against officials responsible for the deaths of Life Esidimeni patients. 

Life Esidimeni Arbitration
Slindelo Masikane

The DA laid criminal charges in connection with 62 former Life Esidimeni patients which the party claims have still not been located. 

 

A total of 143 mentally-ill patients died when the Gauteng Department of Health moved them from Life Esidimeni to ill-equipped and unlicensed NGOs. 


ALSO READ: Gauteng Health denies 'losing' dozens of Life Esidimeni patients

 

The Gauteng Department of Health is disputing the claims, but Bloom insists he is in possession of a letter confirming the number of missing patients. 

 

"Police involvement is far too little and more must be done to track down those who are missing 18 months after the life Esdimeni tragedy happened,” Bloom says. “That out of the 62 patients only 35 have Identity numbers and are still receiving social grants or someone is receiving it on their behalf, but fraud could be involved with some cases.”

ALSO READ: TAC to march to Life Esidimeni hearings

Bloom says he is satisfied with the way the arbitration hearings have unfolded, saying it will hopefully bring closure to the families who lost loved ones.

The hearings are set to resume in Parktown in Tuesday, with Gauteng Finance MEC Barbara Creecy expected to testify. 


The Gauteng health department was unavailable for comment.

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