Mahlangu says she can’t give ‘yes or no’ answers, because she is a politician
Former Gauteng Heath MEC Qedani Mahlangu, testifying at the Life Esidimeni hearings, says she will take ‘political’, but not personal, blame for the 143 deaths
Former Gauteng Heath MEC Qedani Mahlangu will not take personal blame for the tragedy that led to 143 mentally ill patients’ deaths. She says she only takes the "political blame". "I cannot carry personal blame. I was not working for myself." Mahlangu said this while under cross-examination by Legal Aid advocate Lilla Crouse, while testifying at the Life Esidimeni hearings‚ which aim to give closure to families after at least 143 mentally ill patients died when moved into poorly equipped non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The cross-examination was tense as Mahlangu refused to answer questions briefly. At one point on Thursday morning‚ Mahlangu didn’t allow Crouse to finish her question. Raising her voice Crouse said: "Could I just finish please?" "You don’t need to shout at me‚" Mahlangu responded. Campaigning Mahlangu campaigned for three months from May to July in 2016 for the local government elections‚ when the Esidimeni patients were being moved into the under-funded and, i...
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