The state says it will oppose suspended Head of the Gauteng Health Department Barney Selebano’s court bid not to testify at the Life Esidimeni hearings.
Selebano filed an urgent application in the High Court in Johannesburg to set aside a subpoena ordering him to appear before hearings in Parktown, Johannesburg, later in November.
Selebano, former Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu and suspended Mental Health Director Makgabo Manamela are regarded as key decision makers in the bungled relocations that resulted in the deaths of 143 psychiatric patients.
State lawyer, Tebogo Hutamo says, “We have made progress with regards to preparations of necessary papers to oppose that application seeking to set aside the subpoena. We consider that witness to be important. We have not received any indication from the representatives of the families if they have taken steps also to take part in that urgent application, but our actions are really not dependent upon their involvement.”
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