Gauteng Premier David Makhura has committed to working with civil society organisations to ensure that the ill-treatment of psychiatric patients never happens again.
On Wednesday he and Finance MEC Barbara Creecy apologised to the deceased families of the Esidimeni victims for the bungled relocations which resulted in the deaths of 144 mentally-ill patients.
“I am also very much committed to rebuilding the ethical training of officials, it’s also a programme that MEC Dr Gwen Ramokgopa is prioritising, and I’d like to personally make sure that what has happened, the blatant ill-treatment of mental healthcare users and mentally ill patients never happens again,” says Makhura.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi and Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokopa are expected to take the witness stand on Wednesday.
Makhura is still on the stand and is expected to conclude his testimony Wednesday.