EDITORIAL: Victims of the state’s priorities
The prolonged suffering and miserable deaths of 94 psychiatric patients expose the corrupt state's betrayal of SA's moral foundation
Nelson Mandela said a nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens, but its weakest. Health Ombud Prof Malegapuru Makgoba’s report on his investigation into the deaths of psychiatric patients in Gauteng shows that he understands the moral foundation SA’s first democratically elected president attempted to lay. Former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, by her own admission at Makgoba’s inquiry, believes that politics is only about serving the needs of politicians. Since the release of the report on Wednesday, many have drawn parallels between the deaths of 94 psychiatric patients under Mahlangu’s watch and the massacre at Marikana. But the title of Makgoba’s report provides a clear frame to view these latest victims of the state: No Guns: 94+ Silent Deaths and Still Counting. These deaths were the result of a far more widespread administrative failure and neglect than at Marikana. The abuse and deaths were covered up for months and are still being covered up. Ma...
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