Life Esidimeni: I was misled, says Makhura
Gauteng Premier David Makhura says the health department misled his office when they presented the plan to move mentally-ill patients from Life Esidimeni.
He testified at the arbitration hearings on Wednesday.
A total of 143 patients died between 2015 and 2016 after being moved to unlicensed and ill-equipped NGO's.
Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu told the Gauteng legislature that the health department had 4000 beds available in state facilities for patients who were being moved from Life Esidimeni.
Makhura was asked whether the department deliberately misled him, with Makhura replying that officials did not disclose the fact that the patients were going to be moved to NGOs, rather than state facilities.
This revelation was followed by a stark exchange between counsel and Premier Makhura.
#LifeEsidimeni The Premier is now interacting with families of the deceased after his testimony. pic.twitter.com/4D2gVgWQZ2
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) January 31, 2018
Counsel: "In actual fact, now we know the department did not have 4000 beds to accommodate patients from Life Esidimeni?"
Makhura: "It is a proven fact."
Counsel: "So they did not only mislead you, they also misled the legislature?"
Makhura: "That is correct."
On Tuesday Makhura apologised to the families and took responsibility for the deaths.