R47 MILLION FOR ESIDIMENI ARBITRATION COSTS

The Gauteng Provincial Government has spent R15.7 million so far on the Esidimeni Arbitration Hearings and is expecting to pay a total amount of R47 million for all the costs of this alternative dispute resolution process.

This is disclosed by Gauteng Premier David Makhura in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.

According to figures provided in the reply, the Provincial Treasury allocated R13.6 million for Esidimeni-related expenses in this financial year ending on 31 March, but R15.7 million was spent as at 12 February 2016, leaving a deficit of R2.1 million.

More than half the expense was spent on the Emoyeni Conference Centre as the venue for the hearings, which cost R8.4 million.

This is grossly excessive, bearing in mind that Emoyeni is owned by the provincial government which has an arrangement with a private company to rent it out. I will be asking questions on how this can be justified and who has profited from this.

Other major expenses include the following:

Community radio stations and newspapers for the announcement for families to register for the arbitration - R2 048 913

Mirror Effect Trading for video production and streaming services - R1 498 781

Werkmans Attorneys - R1 188 913

Vila Mora Express for transport services - R1 121 760

Wits Language School for sign language and interpretation services - R639 679

Uwhakaziso Trading & Projects for recording services - R423 250

According to Makhura “the expected approximate total amount is R17.6 million in the current financial year, R14.3 million in 2018/19 and R15.1 million in 2019/20.”

It remains to be seen if enough has been budgeted to cover the financial award that former deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke will be announcing tomorrow for the relatives of those who died.

Financial compensation is necessary but not sufficient for the Esidimeni tragedy, which also requires the criminal prosecution of all those responsible for the deaths.

Statement by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 18 March 2018