Judge appointed for Esidimeni Inquest but no date as yet

18 March 2021  

A judge has been appointed to preside over the inquest into 144 deaths of mental health patients, but no date has been set as this is yet to be determined by the Director of Public Prosecutions. 

This has been revealed by Gauteng Community Safety MEC Faith Mazibuko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to Mazibuko:

“The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development directed that a joint formal inquest must be held in the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria. The Judge President appointed a judge for the inquest. All evidential material was put at her disposal. A date for the inquest must still be determined.”

I welcome the appointment of a judge in this matter but more progress needs to be made to ensure justice for the victims.

This case has dragged on for nearly five years since the deaths of the mental patients. I hope a date for the inquest is set soon so charges can be brought against the perpetrators and they are punished by the court. 

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 18 March 2021