One of three doctors behind moving psychiatric patients contests subpoena
Dr Barney Selebano, one of the three officials behind the movement of mentally ill patients from the care of Life Esidimeni, has contested his subpoena to appear at the hearings. Selebano was Head of the Gauteng Health Department when the move of the patients took place. Health Ombudsman Malegapuru Makgoba fingered Selebano for "negligence or gross incompetence". Selebano is suspended and facing disciplinary action‚ but R1m‚ according to Jack Bloom‚ the DA’s Shadow MEC for Health in Gauteng. Selebano filed an urgent application in the Johannesburg High Court on Tuesday to fight his subpoena to appear at the Life Esidimeni hearings‚ said state attorney Tebogo Hutamo. The case will be heard on November 28. Hutamo said in the government’s view, "Selebano is supposed to appear before proceedings‚ which is why we took steps to have subpoena issued". The hearings are set up to give closure to families who lost loved ones in the move. About 118 mentally ill patients had died by February th...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.