KATE SIDLEY: Lay off the families of the Life Esidimeni victims
'That the rights and dignity of these patients are unrelated to how well or poorly their families supported them'
Throughout the Life Esidimeni hearings, commentators on social media have popped up to imply that the families of the victims were somehow to blame for this tragic situation, or at least complicit. They were negligent. They didn’t pay enough attention. They didn’t make enough of a fuss, early enough. Most recently, Helen Zille’s controversial Tweet asked: “What did they do, before these tragic deaths, to raise the alarm about their loved ones starving + living in profound neglect?” This sort of questioning seems to ignore both the facts - that some families had been to the health department about the move since before the move in 2015 - and the families’ heart-rending testimony about their pain and loss. It seems a uniquely mean-spirited kind of victim-shaming. But aside from that, what exactly is the point being made? It seems entirely obvious, but let’s say it anyway, that the rights and dignity of these patients are unrelated to how well or poorly their families supported them. ...
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.