Five years after Moseneke report on Life Esidimeni disaster, families ‘are still fighting for truth and justice’

Living with a gaping wound, the families of the 144 Life Esidemeni victims are unable to find peace and emotionally recover from the trauma. There was a mass discharge of patients, and many families ended up searching for their loved ones for months. Patients were removed without their medical files, medicine, ID books or their family’s knowledge. The memory of the frantic search for loved ones at different facilities continues to haunt the families.

Read more in Daily Maverick: “Life Esidimeni — seven years of indignity and injustice” 

Next month, on 11 April, former health MEC Qedani Mahlangu is finally expected to appear before Judge Mmonoa Teffo at the inquest at the Pretoria High Court.

This is momentous for the families, who are still waiting for answers from government officials who were politically responsible for the mass transfer of more than 1,700 mental healthcare patients. The judicial inquest was set up in 2021 to determine if there is prima facie evidence for the prosecution of individuals.

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For years, families have had to deal with the reality of no one paying the price for their loss. This is despite damning findings made by health ombud Professor Malegapuru Makgoba in 2017 and Moseneke back in 2018.

Moseneke said in his report: “The death and torture in the Life Esidimeni tragedy stemmed from the irrational and arrogant use of public power.” 

Makgoba found that the decision to cancel the contract was “fundamentally flawed, irrational, unwise and inhumane”.

Mahlangu rejected the findings.

The former MEC blamed her colleagues Dr Tiego Selebano and Dr Makgabo Manamela. She accused them of not disclosing to her that there was not enough food at some of the NGOs to which the patients were transferred. It emerged through autopsy reports that out of sheer desperation some had resorted to eating plastic to ease their hunger cramps.

Mahlangu swore that she knew nothing. “No one alleged to me that patients did not have food,” she said.

Mahlangu also claimed Selebano and Manamela lied to her about the number of beds available at government institutions. In October, Manamela told the judicial inquest that Mahlangu had a “forceful” management style and officials wouldn’t dare disobey her instructions.

Moseneke ordered that the high-ranking trio be held accountable. His report reads: “But what stands out is the breadth and depth and frequency of the arrogant and deeply disgraceful disregard of constitutional obligations, other law, mental health care norms and ethics by an organ of state, its leaders and employees.”

Disturbing event for families

Thamsanqa and Thandi Mthembu with a photo of Thamsanqua’s late sister Emily. (Photo: Mark Lewis)

‘For healing to happen, they must tell the truth’

Lesiba Legwabe doesn’t have a photograph of his late brother Mothofela. He is photographed with a portrait of his late wife Salamina. (Photo: Mark Lewis)

‘Wounds reopened’