94 deaths: DA calls for SA Human Rights commission investigation
The death of 94 mentally ill South Africans in Gauteng is a national tragedy. As this number set to increase the DA extends our deepest condolences to the families of those who died after they betrayed and morally let down.
Prompted by the DA’s Jack Bloom, Health Ombudsman, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, distinguished himself, as did Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi, in lifting the lid off a reality none of us wished to see.
Professor Makgoba recommended that Minister Motsoaledi should request the SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) to undertake a ‘systematic and systemic review of human rights compliance and possible violations nationally related to mental health.’
The DA agrees with this recommendation, and will write to SAHRC to request that the investigation begin urgently.
If we are to prevent this kind of tragedy in the future, there are two further vital compliance and regulatory reforms required, as the DA points out in Our Health Plan: