Esidimeni inquest should question former Premier Makhura

4 May 2023

Former Gauteng Premier David Makhura should be summoned to appear before the Life Esidimeni inquest as he has been implicated in the termination of the Esidimeni contract that led to the deaths of 144 mental health patients.

According to former Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, Makhura was involved in the budget committee meeting in November 2014 where the decision was taken to save costs by cancelling the long-running Esidimeni contract.

Although Mahlangu is dishonest in trying to shift the blame from her own culpability, the former premier also has a case to answer as he should have known what was happening and intervened before lives were lost.

They both cannot plead ignorance as I repeatedly warned in the Gauteng Legislature that a disaster was likely if adequate arrangements were not made for the discharged patients.

Mahlangu is supposed to be the last witness at the inquest, but legal counsel should request that Makhura appears before the inquest headed by Judge Jowie Teffo.

There won’t be true justice if politicians like Makhura and Mahlangu avoid accountability by blaming officials.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 4 May 2023