Family calls for Mahlangu to be prosecuted for Life Esidimeni deaths

FILE | Former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu.

The mother of one of the survivors of the Life Esidimeni Tragedy has expressed joy over the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) decision to pursue criminal charges against individuals linked to the deaths of over 140 psychiatric patients.

The NPA announced on Monday, following years of investigation and legal processes.

The tragedy which resulted in the deaths of 144 patients unfolded between 2015 and 2016 when psychiatric patients were moved from licensed care facilities to unregistered and ill-equipped NGO’s.

Rashieda Landis has called for the prosecution of former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu.

Landis says, “Qedani is the principal of this whole thing; she was instructed to save money. She did not give us a hearing; Qedani simply went ahead. When we asked her the question, ” Did you do oversight on these NGO’s/ NPO’s, she said yes. So, we asked for records and proof, but she could not provide them. So I feel that she is directly responsible for these murders. I won’t say untimely deaths, it’s murders because they planned this in such a way.”