MEC denies warnings over moving of psychiatric patients
The Gauteng MEC for Health, Qedani Mahlangu, on Thursday morning denied that the department was warned about moving psychiatric patients from Life Esidimeni to private facilities.
Thirty eight of the patients have died since being transferred this year.
Mahlangu told Jacaranda FM's Complimentary Breakfast all the necessary consultations took place.
"Those things are in the purview of the ombuds person, but the responsibility of the executing authority is very clear in law what my responsibility is. I worked with the team through and through. I am responsible with the department, so whatever recommendation they make, we are going to take responsibility," she said.
Mahlangu said she will ultimately take the necessary steps, once the ombudsman's releases his findings.
"I've never run away from any responsibility. If the report says I'm responsibility, I would not hesitate to take any action. If I feel that my integrity and the work that I do has compromised the provincial government it is an onus on me, as an individual, to also assist the party and the provincial government to do that."