Selebano takes responsibility for Life Esidimeni deaths
Gauteng's suspended Health HOD Dr Barney Selebano has taken responsibility for the deaths of 143 mentally ill patients moved from Life Esidimeni to unlicensed and ill-equipped NGO's.
Selebano continued his testimony at the arbitration hearings in Parktown on Wednesday.
The mea culpa followed a question by the hearing's chairperson, retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, around the administrative responsibility for the tragedy.
"I would say I take responsibility, I said it to (Health Ombudsman) Professor Makgoba that this happened under my watch. And I am saying it again. I was not doing every day activities, but it happened under my watch."
Moseneke probed further, asking Selebano if he accepts that the patients died under unlawful circumstances.
"I would say the patients were compromised," Selebano answered.
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Moseneke was not satisfied and told Selebano that government had already conceded that the patients' deaths were unlawful.
"I have not engaged with government. I am on suspension, so its very difficult for me to say what their reasons were for saying that," Selebano replied.