MOSENEKE HEARINGS
Mahlangu shifts blame for Esidimeni deaths to her juniors
Former health MEC Qedani Mahlangu says Premier David Makhura knew about the decision as part of wide-ranging cost-cutting measure
Former health MEC Qedani Mahlangu says the “collective” made the decision to close Life Esidimeni homes‚ saying the government does not make decisions individually. Mahlangu‚ who began her testimony on Monday‚ laid responsibility for the actions that led to 143 deaths on her former head of department‚ Barney Selebano‚ and former director of mental health Makgabo Manamela. “It was a collective decision. It was never an individual decision,” she said. She said her managers had given the assurance that NGOs that reconditioned hospitals would be ready for 1‚700 patients after the Life Esidimeni contract ended. She “trusted” her team, which included Selebano and Manamela. “I had no reason to doubt them,” she said. Speaking of the move to close Life Esidimeni homes and move patients, she said: “To say it was Qedani Mahlangu’s [decision] is not true. I met with the premier’s budget committee.” She said that Premier David Makhura knew about the decision as part of wide-ranging cost-cutting ...
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