“As I have said in public that we will not take patients who certainly need to be cared for. As a caring government we will never take such a decision to expose patients to danger.”
November 2015 - email from Qedani Mahlangu, former MEC Gauteng Department of Health to Marion Conway. Marion had emailed her, about the rumours that government was closing down Life Esidimeni Randfontein. Marion was worried because her mother, who was schizophrenic, lived there.
The arbitration found evidence that a number of department officials and NGOs had violated the Constitution and contravened the National Health Act and the Mental Health Act by treating mentally ill patients in their care, the way they did.
In his award, Former Deputy Chief Justice - Dikgang Moseneke said: “The Death and torture in the Life Esidimeni tragedy stemmed from the irrational and arrogant use of public power.”
“Our Constitution hopes for public servants who listen to the genuine and reasonable grievances of citizens…with concern. This did not happen here.”
Referring to Dr Mahlangu’s overall conduct Judge Moseneke said that she ‘was aware of the full risks of implementing the Marathon Project. She ignored and indeed brushed aside the warnings at many levels that death might ensue and it did. Her overall conduct was irrational, inexplicable, highly reckless and lead to the death of at least 144 mental health care users...'
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