The Life Esidimeni Inquest has been adjourned to Friday to allow for the former mental health director Dr Makgabo Manamela’s legal representation to be sorted out.
Her current counsel is also appearing for two other employees of the Gauteng Health Department and there are concerns this might bring about a conflict of interest.
The Inquest is looking into who should be held criminally liable for the deaths of 144 mental healthcare patients in 2016 after being transferred from Life Esidimeni facilities to ill-equipped and unlawful NGOs. They died of hunger, dehydration and cold.
Wednesday’s proceedings below:
On Friday, cross-examination of former Life Esidimeni Managing Director Dr Morgan Mkhatshwa will continue.
On Monday, Mkhatshwa told the virtual Pretoria High Court sitting that he warned the Gauteng Health Department multiple times of fatal consequences.
He said he resigned because he could no longer deal with politicians who did not listen. But he denied that he had any knowledge of patients being transferred from his facilities without the proper medical documentation.
Dr. Mkhatshwa’s Monday testimony:
