The FF Plus welcomes the announcement in the media today that an inquest will be conducted following the deaths of 144 patients, who were transferred by the Gauteng Department of Health to incompetent NGOs after the Department cancelled its contract with Life Esidimeni.
The FF Plus has been putting pressure on the Gauteng provincial government to investigate the tragedy and to take steps against the former MEC for Health, Qedani Mahlangu, as well as the then Chief Whip of the ANC in the Gauteng Legislature, Brian Hlongwa.
According to media reports, the Minister of Justice and Correctional Services acceded to a request by the National Prosecuting Authority that an inquiry be conducted into the incident.
On the 3rd of September 2019, the FF Plus requested in the Portfolio Committee for Health in Parliament that the Life Esidimeni tragedy must be put back on the agenda. The FF Plus argued that the tragedy must be revisited to ensure that similar tragedies are avoided.
The FF Plus made it very clear right from the start that the party will not rest until the persons who were responsible for the tragedy are held accountable. The FF Plus also put pressure on the provincial government to bring Qedani Mahlangu back to South Africa after she "disappeared" to England to supposedly continue with her studies. Mahlangu was indeed brought back to South Africa and appeared before the then commission of inquiry, which has led by deputy Chief Justice Dikgang Moseneke.
Contact details: 060 556 4347 Philip van Staden, MP
;
