timeline

never again

 

‘Our Constitution hopes for public servants who listen to the genuine and reasonable grievances of citizens … with concern. This did not happen here.’

~ Former Deputy Chief Justice, Dikgang Moseneke

Rumours of plans to close Life Esidimeni. SASOP warns Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu. Mentally ill patients at risk. She ignores them.


SADAG receives first e-mail from concerned family about the closure.


Nearly 2 000 patients, receiving chronic psychiatriccare, are to be moved.


Civil society organisations and families of patients mobilise and plead with the department.


SASOP and SADAG try to engage. The Department of Health issues a gag order to SADAG.


MEC extends contract with Life Esidimeni till June 2016.


SADAG, SASOP and the families litigate. The department misleads. The court rules in their favour. One week later, the mass transfers start.


Deborah Phetla dies. She had brown paper & plastic in her stomach.


Breach of agreement. 54 adult patients moved to Takalani, an NGO for children.


Families march to the department. A WhatsApp group is set up.


Between May and June, 1300 mental healthcare patients moved out of LE.


Hundreds call the SADAG helpline seeking help. Their loved ones are moved to inadequate, unlicensed NGOs.


Families protest.


MEC says no patients discharged without families’ consent.


MEC is forced to announce that 36 patients had died after being moved; later revealed 77 deaths had already occurred.


The Health Ombudsman, Malegapuru W. Makgoba, investigates the deaths.


MEC resigns before the Ombudsman’s report is released.


It details ‘unlawful deaths’, inhumane conditions and the ill-treatment of patients.


Dr Barney Selebano, Head of the Gauteng Department of Health, and Dr Makgabo Manamela, Gauteng Mental Health Director, are suspended.


The Family Committee organises a ceremony for the bereaved families, who speak of terrible condition of bodies at the mortuaries.


SECTION27 begins preparing for arbitration. Retired Deputy Justice Dikgang Moseneke appointed as the arbitrator.


Arbitration between government and the families of the LE victims begins. 60 witnesses testify. Evidence emerges. 144 mental health patients died.


Suspended Gauteng Mental Health Director resigns, avoiding a disciplinary process.


Arbitration proceedings end.


Justice Moseneke finds in favour of the families. Deaths preventable. Reckless decisions. Appalling conditions. Orders that MEC Qedani Mahlangu, Dr Selebano & Dr Manamela be held accountable.


Compensation is paid to families who were part of the arbitration.


The South African Police Service opens 46 inquest dockets into the Life Esidimeni tragedy.


A detailed recovery plan is developed by the Gauteng Department of Health. The budget for the plan is not clear.


Justice Moseneke makes a ruling. Further claims must be allowed to accommodate those not able to be part of the arbitration.


Dr Barney Selebano reports to the Health Professions Council of South Africa. A complaint is laid. But he can still practise medicine.


The South African Human Rights Commission’s report on the state of mental health in South Africa is released. Notes poor mental health services across the country.


The National Prosecuting Authority announces a joint judicial inquest. No one yet held individually responsible or criminally charged and prosecuted.


Three NGOs are ordered to repay R1.3 million they falsely claimed for mental health patients.


Monument to commemorate the Life Esidimeni tragedy promised. Families want a specialised mental health hospital. Not done.


The SAHRC presents its report to Parliament. The state of mental healthcare has worsened.


A formal inquest hearing into the tragedy starts. Judge will decide if deaths were brought about by a criminal offence.


The inquest is concluded. SECTION27 argues for culpable homicide charges against Qedani Mahlangu, Makgabo Manamela and Ethel Ncube (from Precious Angels).


Judge Teffo finds that nine of the deaths were unnatural and that the conduct of MEC Mahlangu and Dr Manamela caused the deaths.