The former Head of the Gauteng Health Department, Dr Barney Selebano, is expected to testify before the Life Esidimeni Inquest in the High Court in Pretoria on Monday morning.
Selebano will be the 36th witness to give evidence.
Last week’s proceedings were adjourned after the former Director of Mental Services Mmakgabo Manamela failed to show up, citing ill health.
The court has authorized an arrest warrant for her.
The inquest is probing the relocation of over 2000 mentally ill patients from Life Esidimeni facilities.
144 patients died during the June 2016 relocation to other NGOs, mostly unlicensed and not suitable to accommodate such patients.
Contempt attempts
Manamela has been compelled to testify despite arguing that she’s not ready and wanted a postponement until next week Monday.
The court argued it will not be in the interest of justice to grant a postponement. Manemala is now set to give evidence from Tuesday until the end of the week.
Judge Mmonoa Teffo says there is no need to delay the matter.
“It is in the interest of everyone here that this inquest should be brought to finality. We cannot sit at “ infinito”. We have to finalize this inquest. As such I just don’t [think] if there’s a need again to delay this matter. I must indicate that this thing of stand down the proceedings is not going to be in the interest of justice. So on that basis I conclude that is not in the interest of justice to a further postponement in this matter,” says Teffo.
VIDEO: Former mental health director Makgabo Manamela to postpone her testimony:
