TOP POLITICIANS NOW NEED TO ANSWER AT ESIDIMENI HEARINGS
The Esidimeni arbitration hearings have concluded this year with senior officials put under the spotlight and searing reactions from bereaved relatives.
We now need to hear from the top politicians who are ultimately accountable for this tragedy in which 143 mental patients lost their lives.
Former Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu is due to testify on 22 January next year, followed by Gauteng Premier David Makhura and National Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi.
I hope that they are not as evasive as the Gauteng Health Department officials who have appeared at the hearings.
Suspended Head of Department Barney Selebano ended his testimony with a heartfelt plea for forgiveness, but this was only after contradictions were exposed in his evidence and he tried to evade responsibility for what occurred.