One-year wait for trial evaluations at Sterkfontein Hospital
14 March 2017
Psychiatric evaluations for awaiting trial detainees will take at least one year as 197 prisoners are on the list for admission to the Sterkfontein mental hospital.
This is revealed by Gauteng Health MEC Gwen Ramokgopa in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
The backlog has worsened as a previous reply to my questions in August 2015 indicated that there were 138 male patients awaiting mental evaluation for trial, which would take between 8 to 12 months.
The long waiting time leads to delays in many court cases which get repeatedly postponed because psychiatric evaluations have not been done.