Former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu will continue to testify on Wednesday in the Life Esidimeni inquest into the deaths of 144 mentally ill patients in June 2016.
Former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlanguwill continue to testify on Wednesday in the Life Esidimeni inquest into the deaths of 144 mentally ill patients in June 2016.Mahlangu was Health MEC between 2014 and 2017 when the patients died after being removed from the Life Esidimeni facilities to ill-equipped NGOs across the province to cut costs.
Mahlangu says the Gauteng Premier’s Budget Committee took the decision to terminate the Life Esidimeni contract with the knowledge and authority of senior Health Department officials. She says the Esidimeni service level agreement violated the Constitution as it existed since 1979 without taking it out to tender as the law requires.The project was also responding to the various negative audit findings by the Office of the Auditor General on the Life Esidimeni, the service level agreement.
Section 217 of the Constitution requires all organs of state to procure goods and services in a system that is fair, equitable, transparent and cost-effective. In other words, the fact that Life Esidimeni enjoyed the benefits which did not comply with the provision of the Constitution, was in violation of the Constitution.Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom says the former health MEC should explain her implication in the Life Esidemeni tragedy.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
WATCH LIVE | Life Esidimeni inquest - Qedani Mahlangu testifiesFormer Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu is appearing before the Life Esidimeni inquest in the high court in Pretoria on Tuesday.
Read more »
Life Esidimeni inquest resumes with Mahlangu expected to testifyFormer Guteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu's testimony was delayed almost three weeks ago after the office of the State attorney failed to settle her legal fees.
Read more »
Mahlangu says Makhura, others complicit in Life Esidimeni contract terminationIn her testimony at the Life Esidimeni inquest, Qedani Mahlangu said both Makhura and then-Gauteng finance MEC Barbara Creecy were well aware of the decision.
Read more »
‘I am deeply sorry’: Mahlangu apologises to families of Life Esidimeni victimsDuring proceedings, the former Gauteng health MEC read out a heartfelt message to the court, and said she was still receiving counselling.
Read more »
Premier’s budget committee led by Makhura made decision to terminate Life Esidimeni contract, says Qedani MahlanguMahlangu says she relied on professionals employed in the department for guidance on where patients should be sent.
Read more »
Mahlangu regrets deaths of 144 mentally-ill patients, says 'unfortunate, deeply regrettable' - SABC NewsFormer Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu says the deaths of the 144 mentally-ill patients after being moved from Life Esidimeni facilities to ill-equipped NGOs are unfortunate and deeply regrettable. LifeEsidimeni
Read more »