Suspended health boss resigns
Gauteng health's suspended head, Dr Barney Selebano, has resigned from his position.
The department has confirmed that Selebano resigned with immediate effect on Monday.
Selebano apologised at the Life Esidimeni arbitration hearings for his role in the deaths of more than 140 psychiatric patients.
He oversaw the process of transferring patients from Life Esidimeni to unregistered NGOs.
Dr. #BarneySelebano has resigned as Head of Department from the Gauteng Health Department. #LifeEsidimeni pic.twitter.com/AkEvwR6dDE
— Jacaranda News (@JacaNews) January 16, 2018
He told the hearing's chairperson, retired Deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke, that through the mistakes he made many lives were lost.
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"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.
ALSO READ: Selebano takes responsibility for Life Esidimeni deaths
"I would say the patients were compromised," Selebano answered.
The Health Ombudsman Professor Malegepuru Makgoba confirmed at the hearing that the number of patients who have died as a result of the Life Esidimeni transfers currently stands at 143.