Suspended Head of the Gauteng Health Department, Dr Barney Selebano, is expected to conclude his testimony at the Life Esidimeni Arbitration hearings in Parktown, Johannesburg on Friday.
On Thursday, he gave contradicting answers on whether or not Premier David Makhura knew about the transfer of mentally ill patients to NGOs, where 143 of them died.
He initially stated that Makhura was aware of the plan to terminate the Life Esidimeni contract.
However, Selebano changed his tune when challenged by State lawyer Tebogo Hutamo on his earlier version.
The Premier’s office admits that it knew about the termination of the Life Esidimeni contract, but it did not know about the transfers and that patients were moved to NGOs.
Selebano also admitted that his department did not need the approval of the Premier’s office to carry out the project.
He added that it was among the contracts identified to cut costs.
Legal Aid SA’s Advocate Lilla Crouse accused Selebano of not taking responsibility for the tragedy.
She asked him if he will resign from his position.
Selebano says he does takes accountability as HOD, even though he was not involved in the day-to-day implementation of the project
