Qedani Mahlangu’s quitting is just first step in holding her accountable
Qedani Mahlangu’s resignation as Gauteng health MEC is only the first step in her being held accountable, legal experts say. Criminal or civil proceedings may be initiated against Mahlangu, while that EFF and ANC Youth League have already indicated their intention of pressing for a criminal trial. In his report‚ national health ombud Prof Malegapuru Makgoba deeply criticised a decision by the Gauteng health department that resulted in 1‚317 mentally ill and intellectually impaired patients rapidly moved from various Life Esidimeni care homes to 27 unlicensed nongovernmental organisations (NGOs). The patients were placed in NGOs in a state-private partnership. Makgoba said the MEC’s decision to move patients was "reckless‚ unwise [and] flawed with inadequate planning", and he further criticised her for not knowing how many people had died when the tragedy first came to light. He found that at least 94 patients had died. The police are conducting inquests into the deaths of some patie...
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